Premier League stars study to become sporting directors

Premier League footballers are increasingly looking beyond the pitch to prepare for their future careers. A recent graduation ceremony held at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium saw several current and former players receive diplomas from the PFA Business School, qualifying them for potential roles as sporting directors.

Among the 2026 cohort were Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi. For these players, the course is an opportunity to develop skills away from the game, even while competing at the highest level. Dewsbury-Hall noted that despite being in peak form, the desire to learn and grow remains a priority.

I hope I've got a long time left in football. But as a person, I'm always trying to learn and develop away from the pitch. This was something that genuinely interested me. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Taiwo Awoniyi, who holds a business management degree and another diploma, views education as a personal promise. Having overcome a significant injury in May 2025, the Nigerian forward emphasizes that there is more to life than football and that players have the capacity to manage academic work alongside their professional duties. He believes the stereotype of footballers not being academically inclined is outdated.

Former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta, who also attended the ceremony, shared how his own academic pursuits helped him maintain focus during his playing career, even using study sessions to clear his mind before the 2021 Champions League final. For Azpilicueta, the process of continuous learning is essential to becoming a better leader on and off the field.

The PFA course is specifically structured to run alongside active playing schedules, with seminars designed to avoid clashes with training and matches. While many graduates remain fully focused on their playing duties, the program serves as a vital bridge for those who may transition into coaching, executive, or sporting director roles in the future.