ECA and Harvard Business School Launch Executive Leadership Program

The European Club Association (ECA), in collaboration with the Harvard Business School Executive Education, has announced the launch of the ECA Executive Leadership Programme. This announcement was made during the ECA’s 31st General Assembly held in Athens.

Professor Anita Elberse, the Lincoln Filene Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, introduced the newly formed programme in her keynote speech at the assembly. The collaboration is aimed at combining Harvard’s esteemed educational methods with a curriculum designed to address contemporary challenges faced by football executives.

The programme is designed to integrate leading insights from Harvard Business School with learning experiences from the broader sports and entertainment sectors. The goal is to provide participants with practical strategies and cross-industry perspectives crucial for excelling in top leadership positions.

Speaking on the collaboration, ECA Chairman, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, stated, “We are honoured to be working with Harvard Business School on the launch of the ECA Executive Leadership Programme. By merging Harvard’s knowledge with the experience of European football club leaders, we are confident the programme will generate valuable ideas to aid clubs, their leaders, and the entire football community.”

The programme will commence in September 2025 and will feature a two-day immersive launch event at the Harvard Business School Campus in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Participants will also engage in five virtual sessions facilitated from Harvard’s advanced Live Online Classroom. The concluding segment of the programme involves a two-day in-person session in Europe, under the guidance of Professor Elberse, focused on practical learning and leadership application.

Professor Elberse expressed enthusiasm for the programme, noting, “This collaboration allows us to bring Harvard’s top-notch educational strategies to a course specifically tailored to the modern football leadership landscape. Our aim is to empower participants to become more effective leaders and foster innovation within their organisations and the broader football ecosystem.”

The programme is tailored for top executives and decision-makers within the football industry, aiming to enhance leadership skills and drive innovation. ECA members will have priority for enrollment, providing exclusive access to this premier leadership opportunity. Applications will open in November 2024 and conclude in February 2025.

The European Club Association (ECA) plays a pivotal role in European football and is recognised by UEFA and FIFA as the sole independent body for professional European clubs, representing over 700 members across UEFA’s 55 national associations.