Matthew Macdonald
UCFB Manchester
Course Leader
BA (Hons) Football Business
Matthew is Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Football Business course – recognised as one of the youngest course leaders in UK higher education. His expertise is in leadership and strategy within football business, with a focus on identifying opportunities and risks that influence decision-making in complex sporting environments. He has advised on multi-million-pound player and managerial recruitment strategies, supported league sponsorship agreements, and contributed evidence to a successful Premier League points-deduction appeal.
Area of expertise
- International Football Business – global markets, governance, and cross-border strategy in the football industry.
- Political Economy of Sport – politics, economics, and regulation in shaping sporting organisations and competitions.
- Sporting Directorship – leadership, decision-making, and strategic management within elite football environments.
Expertise in industry
- Trustee Board Member at Croquet England, the national governing body of the sport.
- External consultant and advisor to organisations including Everton FC, Fleetwood Town FC, Brera Tchumene FC (Mozambique) and UNAFUT (Costa Rica).
- Experience in sports strategy with Dundee United FC and Mazatlán FC (Mexico).
- Commercial Strategy in Sport – sponsorship, recruitment, and financial strategy across clubs and leagues.
- Sport, Culture and International Relations – diplomacy, soft power, and the role of sport in global affairs.
- Leadership in Sport – executive decision-making, talent development, and organisational culture in elite environments.
- MSc Sports Business and Management, University of Liverpool
- MProf Football Business, FBA
- BA (Hons) International Football Business, UCFB
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