Graduates of 2021
High-achieving former internationals from around the world
These men and women have all been awarded an executive master’s degree by the University of Limoges (60 ECTS credits) in 2021, and are now looking to use their newly-acquired skills beyond the football pitch.
The UEFA MIP equips high-profile ex-international players to transfer their playing strengths into effective management skills.
Leadership, discipline and a commitment to high-level performance are the hallmarks of trophy winners – applying those traits to the organisation of football is among the primary aims of the course.
Key roles in all areas of football thrive on vision, planning, analysis and observation – the UEFA MIP helps former players to apply these skills in an administrative context, producing role models for success across multiple spheres of football management.
These men and women have all been awarded an executive master’s degree by the University of Limoges (60 ECTS credits) in 2021, and are now looking to use their newly-acquired skills beyond the football pitch.
The UEFA MIP equips high-profile ex-international players to transfer their playing strengths into effective management skills.
Leadership, discipline and a commitment to high-level performance are the hallmarks of trophy winners – applying those traits to the organisation of football is among the primary aims of the course.
Key roles in all areas of football thrive on vision, planning, analysis and observation – the UEFA MIP helps former players to apply these skills in an administrative context, producing role models for success across multiple spheres of football management.
Football career
- Played for 1.FSV Mainz 05, Hamburger SV, Bayer 04 Leverkusen;
- 12 caps for the German national team;
- Best Bundesliga goalkeeper 2008.
Languages
- German
- English
Education
- Certificate in sports management, Allensbach University
in cooperation with ESM-Academy.
Other activities
- Ambassador for the Zeit für Europa campaign
for the 2019 EU elections;
- Active support of the Elternhilfe für krebskranke
Kinder Leipzig e.V.;
- Active support of the Fördergemeinschaft
Kinderkrebs-Zentrum Hamburg
Work history
- Founder and chief executive officer, HS GmbH;
- Co-founder, T1TAN GmbH;
- Founder, Keepercademy GbR;
- Founder and chief executive officer, AdleR marketing GmbH
Football career
- Played for Arsenal FC, FC Zenit, FC Kairat, FC Kuban;
- 75 caps for the Russian national team;
- UEFA Europa League winner, 2008; UEFA Super Cup winner, 2008;
three-time Russian League winner, 2007, 2012 and 2015; Russian
Cup winner, 2003; Russian Super Cup winner, 2008; two-time
Kazakhstan Cup winner, 2017 and 2018; Kazakhstan Super Cup
winner, 2017; Ballon d’Or 6th place, 2008; footballer of the year in
Russia, 2006; UEFA EURO – Team of the Tournament, 2008;
UEFA Cup Final – Man of the match, 2008; Kazakhstan Player
of the year, 2016.
Languages
- Russian
- English
Education
- Coaching licence, FC Zenit Academy;
- Designing of light industry products (sewn products), Saint
Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design.
Other activities
- Cooperation with SOS Children’s Villages International
Work history
- Advisor to the president on youth football, FC Zenit St Petersburg;
- Football analyst, Match TV.
Football career
- Played for Maccabi Haifa FC, Maccabi Tel Aviv SC, Borussia VfL
1900 Mönchengladbach e.V, Beitar Jerusalem FC, CD Tenerife,
Maccabi Petach Tikva FC;
- 36 caps for the Israeli national team;
- Two-time Israeli Cup winner, 2004 and 2015; five-time Israeli
Premier League winner; two-time Toto Cup winner; footballer
of the year in Israel, 2008.
Languages
- Hebrew
- English
- Spanish
Education
- UEFA A Licence.
Work history
- Technical consultant, SPAL;
- Assistant sporting director, AS Roma;
- Consultant and commentator, Fox TV, Rai TV, Mediaset and DAZN.
Football career
- Played for AS Roma, SSD Palermo, ACF Fiorentina,
FC Juventus, FC Torino;
- 16 caps for the Italian national team;
- UEFA EURO runner-up, 2018; Italian Cup winner, 2013;
Serie B winner, 2007; Team of the year in Serie A, 2012.
Languages
- Italian
- English
- French
- Spanish
Education
- UEFA B Licence;
- Sporting director, Italian Football Federation.
Work history
- Founder and chief executive officer, Personal Line;
- Founder and chief executive officer, 181sports;
- Project 1 coordinator, Portuguese Futsal Federation;
- SPU – Sports Performance Unit – Support to Athletes;
- Strategy implementation, Sports Embassy;
- Member of the group of reflexion for the future of Portugal;
- Guest speaker, UEFA Study Group Scheme, Season 10;
- Corporate marketing, Sporting Clube de Portugal;
- Financial controller, Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Futsal career
- Played for Sporting Clube de Portugal, Playas de Castellón,
União Desportiva Olival Basto;
- 181 caps for the Portuguese national team;
- FIFA Futsal World Cup Bronze Medal, 2000; UEFA Futsal EURO
runner-up, 2010; nine-time Portuguese champion.
Languages
- Portuguese
- English
- Spanish
Education
- Master’s degree marketing management, Indeg-Iscte
executive education;
- Bachelor’s degree in business management, Iseg – Lisbon School of
Economics and Management.
Football career
- Played for Inter Milan, SL Benfica, CR Flamengo,
Queens Park Rangers FC, AC Chievo;
- 87 caps for the Brazilian national team;
- FIFA Club World Cup winner, 2010; two-time FIFA Confederations
Cup winner, 2009 and 2013; UEFA Champions League winner,
2010; Copa America winner, 2004; three-time Portuguese national
champion, 2015, 2016 and 2017; Portuguese Cup winner, 2017;
UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year, 2010; FIFA Confederations Cup
Golden Glove Award, 2013; FIFA Confederations Cup Dream Team,
2013; Best Goalkeeper of Portuguese Premier League, 2015; twotime Goalkeeper of the Year in Serie A, 2009 and 2010.
Languages
- Portuguese
- English
- Italian
Work history
- President, Didier Drogba Foundation;
- Vice-president, Peace and Sport;
- Co-owner, Phoenix Rising FC.
Football career
- Played for Chelsea FC, Olympique de Marseille, Galatasaray SK,
EA Guingamp, Phoenix Rising FC, Montreal Impact, SH Shanghai,
Le Mans UC 72;
- 105 caps for the Ivorian national team;
- UEFA Champions League winner, 2012; four-time Premier League
winner, 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2015; four-time FA Cup winner, 2007,
2008, 2010 and 2012; three-time Football League Cup winner,
2005, 2007 and 2015; two-time FA Community Shield winner, 2005
and 2009; Turkish Professional League winner, 2013; Turkish Cup
winner, 2014; Turkish Super Cup winner, 2013; Western Conference
winner, 2018; three-time Team of the Tournament – Africa Cup
of Nations, 2006, 2008 and 2012; two-time African footballer of
the year, 2006 and 2009; Ballon d’Or 4th place, 2007; BBC African
footballer of the year, 2009; UEFA Champions League final, man
of the match, 2012; UEFA Team of the Year, 2007; UNFP Trophy of
Honour, 2019; five-time CAF Team of the Year, 2005, 2006, 2009,
2010 and 2012; Chelsea FC Player of the Year, 2010; three-time
Ivory Coast Player of the Year, 2006, 2007 and 2012; French
Ligue 1 Player of the Year, 2004; MLS All-Star, 2016; two-time
Premier League Golden Boot, 2007 and 2010; Turkish Footballer
of the Year, 2013.
Languages
- French
- English
Other activities
- Ambassador, United Nations Development Programme;
- Ambassador, UNICEF.
Work history
- Committee member, CAF;
- Owner and chief executive officer, Kafa Trading;
- Ambassador for the president of Senegal;
- Football analyst, BeIn Sport Doha, Proximus TV, RTBF TV.
Football career
- Played for Inter Milan, Red Star 93 FC, Liège FC, Lonnel SK,
Brugge FC, AJ Auxerre, Bolton Wanderers FC, Derby County FC,
Kaa Gent, K. Beerschot VAC;
- 37 caps for the Senegalese national team;
- French Cup winner, 2003; Belgian national champion, 1998;
Belgian Super Cup winner, 1998.
Languages
- French
- English
- Flemisch
Work history
- Sports manager, SV Werder Bremen
Football career
- Played for SV Werder Bremen, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Karlsruher SC,
FC Rot-Weiss Erfurt, VFB Leipzig;
- 22 caps for the German national team;
- UEFA EURO runner-up, 2008; German Cup winner, 2009.
Languages
- German
- English
Education
- Certified sport manager, European Sportsmanagement Academy;
- DFB Youth Elite coaching licence;
- DFB A coaching licence.
Other activities
- Clemens Fritz Foundation.
Work history
- Consultant and commentator, Sky Sports, BBC Sport, BT Sport,
Premier League Productions, BeIN Sports;
- Club ambassador, Liverpool FC;
- Club ambassador, Leicester City FC.
Football career
- Played for Leicester City FC, Liverpool FC, Birmingham City FC,
Wigan Athletic FC, Aston Villa FC, Newcastle Jets FC,
Bolton Wanderers FC;
- 62 caps for the English national team;
- UEFA Europa League winner, 2001; UEFA Super Cup winner, 2001;
four-time League Cup winner, 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2003;
FA Cup winner, 2001.
Language
- English
Work history
- Board member and chief executive officer, Spordiklubi FC Levadia,
SK FC Levadia Jalgpallikool;
- Chief executive officer and coach, FC Pirita.
Football career
- Played for 1FC Flora, FC Levadia, JK Tervis Pärnu, Lelle SK, JK
Viljandi Tulevik, FC Kuressaare, Hapoel Kfar Saba FC, Hapoel
Tayibe FC, Hamarkameratene;
- 58 caps for the Estonian national team;
- Four-time Estonian national champion, 1994, 1997, 1998 and 2004,
three-time Estonian Cup winner, 1998, 2004 and 2005; Estonian
Super Cup winner, 1998.
Languages
- Estonian
- English
- Russian
Education
- Higher education in real estate development and business
administration, Mainor University;
- UEFA B Licence.
Football career
- Played for Heart of Midlothian FC, Kerala Blasters FC, Melbourne
City FC, Brighton and Hove Albion FC, Queen’s Park Rangers FC,
Fulham FC, Aston Villa FC, Newcastle United FC;
- 112 caps for the Northern Ireland national team;
- UEFA Europa League runner-up, 2010; English Football League
play-off winner, 2014.
Language
- English
Education
- UEFA B Licence.
Work history
- Commentator, Discovery Networks, Eurosport
Football career
- Played for Djurgårdens IF, Grasshopper Zürich, Spartak Moscow,
Arsenal FC, Olympique Lyonnais, Stade Rennais FC, BK Häcken;
- 131 caps for the Swedish national team;
- Two-time French League winner, 2007 and 2008; two-time French
Cup winner, 2008 and 2012; two-time Trophée des Champions
winner, 2007 and 2008; FA Cup winner, 2014.
Languages
- Swedish
- English
- French
- German
Other activities
- Organisation of Gothia Special Olympics Trophy
Work history
- Technical director, Norwegian Football Association;
- Football expert and analyst, NRK and TV2;
- Lawyer, Central Bank of Norway;
- Lawyer, Hjort DA;
- Deputy judge, Oslo city court;
- Mentor for master students, University of Oslo;
- Trainee, Umeå city court;
- Columnist for several newspapers.
Football career
- Played for Stabæk Fotball, Umeå IK, Asker Fotball,
Bjørnar Fotball, Sandviken IL;
- 73 caps for the Norwegian national team;
- UEFA Women’s EURO runner-up, 2005; UEFA Women’s Champions
League runner-up, 2007; two –time Swedish League winner, 2006
and 2007; Norwegian League winner, 2010; two-time Swedish Cup
winner; two-time Norwegian Cup winner.
Languages
- Norwegian
- English
Education
- Master of laws, University of Oslo
Other activities
- Member, prosecution tribunal NFF;
- Board member, pension fund, Central Bank of Norway;
- Board member, Norway Cup;
- Member, Law Committee, Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic
Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF);
- Board member, NISO, the Norwegian players’ association;
- Board member, Asker Football Women.
Work history
- Currently active referee, UEFA Elite category;
- Football referee since 1990;
- Referee in the Hungarian 1st League since 1999;
- FIFA referee since 2003;
- UEFA elite referee since 2007.
Refereeing career
- Olympic Games football final, 2008; FIFA World Cup semifinal,
2010; UEFA Champions League final, 2011; UEFA Champions
League semifinal, 2012, 2013; UEFA Europa League semifinal,
2016; UEFA Champions League final as 4th official, 2016; UEFA
EURO 2016, opening match, 2016; UEFA EURO 2016 final as 4th
official, 2016; FIFA Club World Cup semifinal, 2016;
- The youngest referee to officiate at a UEFA Champions League
final in 2011 in Wembley Stadium;
- In 2011 IFFHS presented Viktor Kassai with the World’s
Best Referee award.
Languages
- Hungarian
- English
- German
Education
- Sports manager course (basic level) organised by the Hungarian
Football Federation.
Football career
- Played for Vidi FC, NK Olimpija, Beijing BSU, FK Partizan Belgrade,
FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, FK Rostov, PSV Eindhoven, Vitesse
Arnhem, Feyenoord Rotterdam, Bayern 04 Leverkusen;
- 47 caps for the Serbian national team;
- Two-time Serbian champion, 2003 and 2015; Hungarian champion,
2018; Dutch Super Cup winner, 2009; Russian Super Cup winner,
2011; Russian Cup winner, 2010; Russian champion, 2010;
Dutch champion, 2008.
Languages
- Serbian
- English
- Russian
- Dutch
Education
- UEFA A Licence;
- UEFA B Licence.
Football career
- Played for, São Paulo FC, AC Milan, Real Madrid CF,
Orlando City SC;
- 94 caps for the Brazilian national team;
- FIFA World Cup winner, 2002; two-time FIFA Confederations Cup
winner, 2005 and 2009; FIFA Club World Cup winner, 2007; UEFA
Champions League winner, 2007; UEFA Super Cup winner, 2007;
Spanish champion, 2012; Copa del Rey winner, 2011; Serie A
winner, 2004; Italian Super Cup winner, 2004; Ballon d’Or, 2007;
FIFA World Player of the Year, 2007; three-time UEFA Team of the
Year, 2006, 2007, 2009; UEFA Champions League top scorer, 2007.
Languages
- English
- Portuguese
- Italian
- Spanish
Work history
- Kit manager, Danish Football Association, U16 and U17;
- Customer receiver/office assistant, Brødrene Møl l A/S
(Volkswagen);
- Customer service, Telenor.
Football career
- Fortuna Hjørring, Grønbjerg IF, Spiald IF;
- 61 caps for the Danish national team;
- UEFA Women´s Champion’s League runner-up, 2003; four-time
Danish champion, 1999, 2002, 2009 and 2010; five-time Danish
Cup winner 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006 and 2008.
Languages
- Danish
- English
- German
Education
- Business school, Ringkøbing Handelsskole;
- Independent boarding school, Ølgod Ungdomsklub.
Football career
- Played for FC Okzhetpes, Kaira FC, FK Ordabasy Chimkent,
FC Irtysh Pavlodar, Karşıyaka SK, Çaykur Rizespor, FC Astana,
Lokomotiv Astana, Halmstads Bollklubb, FK Chakhtior Karagandy,
FK Astana-1964;
- 50 caps for the Kazakhstan national team;
- Two-time Kazakhstan Cup winner, 2001 and 2002; four-time
Kazakhstan champion, 2000, 2001, 2006 and 2018.
Languages
- Kazakh
- English
- Turkish
Education
- UEFA A License;
- PhD physical education, faculty of physical training and sports,
Cand. Sc. Education, L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Work history
- Coach, FC Zurich;
- Restaurant owner.
Football career
- Played for Chelsea FC, Olympique Lyonnais, FC Zurich,
Wadi Deg, Delhi Dynamos, FC Metz, Trabzonspor, EA Guingamp,
LB Châteauroux;
- 80 caps for the French national team;
- UEFA Champions League winner, 2012; Premier League winner,
2010; four-time French champion, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007;
three-time English Cup winner, three-time Trophée des Champions
winner 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Languages
- French
- English
- Portuguese
- Creole
Work history
- Vice-president, FC Alverca
Football career
- Played for Clube Desportivo das Aves, Associação Chapecoense
de Futebol, Osmanlispor FK, Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Sporting Club
Braga, AS Roma, AC Cesena, AC Siena SPA, Coritiba Football Club,
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube, Paulista Football Club;
- Three-time UEFA Europa League runner-up, 2011, 2013 and 2014;
two-time Portuguese champion, 2014 and 2015;
four-time Portuguese Cup winner, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018;
Brazilian champion, 2003; Brazilian Cup winner, 2003;
Captain of Chapecoense after the plane crash.
Languages
- Portuguese
- English
- Italian
Education
- Physiotherapy, Universidade Paulista.
Work history
- Sporting director, NK Olimpija;
- Sporting director, FC Koper;
- Assistant sporting director, NK Maribor.
Football career
- Played for Živila Naklo, NK Olimpija, SG Dinamo Dresden,
SC Freiburg, Karlsruher SC, FC Porto, Olympiakos FC, APOEL FC,
FC Koper;
- 63 caps for the Slovenian national team;
- Four-time Slovenian Championship winner as a player; six-time
Slovenian Championship winner as a sporting director or
assistant sporting director.
Languages
- Slovenian
- Serbo-Croatian
- English
- German
- Portuguese
Football career
- Played for Manchester United FC, Bournemouth FC,
Royal Antwerp FC, Sunderland AFC, Reading FC;
- 118 caps for the Irish national team;
- FIFA Club World Cup winner, 2008; UEFA Champions League
winner, 2008; UEFA Champions League runner-up, 2009; five-time
Premier League winner, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011; FA Cup
winner, 2004; two-time Football League Cup winner, 2006 and
2009; four-time FA Community Shield winner, 2003, 2007, 2008
and 2010.
Language
- English
Education
- UEFA A License.
Work history
- Director of international relations, Football Union of Russia;
- Consultant, Skolkovo Business School;
- Advisor to the president, Football Union of Russia;
- Anti-discrimination officer, Football Union of Russia;
- Executive director, J.S.C. Dynamo Moscow;
- Reserve preparation director, J.S.C. Dynamo Moscow;
- Deputy, Altai Krai legislative assembly.
Football career
- Played for Chelsea FC, Fulham FC, FC Dynamo Moscow,
Charlton Athletic FC, Portsmouth FC, FC Girondins de Bordeaux,
FC Lokomotiv Moscow, FC Uralan Elista, FC Zarya LeninskKuznetsky, FC Dynamo Barnaul;
- 55 caps for the Russian national team;
- Best Russian football player, 1999; two-time silver medallist in the
Russian Championship; Russian Cup winner, 2000; French League
Cup winner, 2002; English League Cup winner, 2005; Premier
League winner, 2005.
Languages
- Russian
- English
- French
Education
- PhD psychology;
- Public administration, Altai branch of Siberian Academy;
- Masters degree in sports, Barnaul State Pedagogical University.
Other activities
- Young Talents Foundation, Altai Krai;
- Ambassador of the 2018 FIFA World Cup;
- Ambassador of the Russia 2018/2022 bid committee;
- Founder, football academy.
Work history
- Scout, AEK Football Club Academy;
- Owner, green energy photovoltaic parks;
- Α.Ταυλαρίδου & SΙΑ Ε.Ε. real estate company; ;
- Bus owner, Municipality of Serres.
Football career
- Played for Aris Thessaloniki FC, Panathinaikos FC, Atromitos FC,
OFI Crete FC, Athlitiki Enosi Larissa FC, AS Saint–Etienne, LOSC
Lille, Arsenal FC, Portsmouth FC, Hércules de Alicante
Club de Fútbol;
- 3 caps for the Greek national team;
- Intertoto Cup winner, 2004; Ligue 1 runner-up, 2005.
Languages
- Greek
- English
- French
Education
- Executive diploma in sports management, Mediterranean
College in Athens.
Work history
- Sporting director, Mexican national team
Football career
- Played for Indy Eleven, Cruz Azul FC, Racing de Santander, Sevilla
FC, Polideportivo Ejido, CD Tenerife, Pumas UNAM;
- 146 caps for the Mexican national team;
- Champions League CONCACAF winner, 2014; two-time Copa Oro
winner, 2009 and 2011; FIFA Confederation Cup winner, 1999;
Mexico Cup winner, 2013.
Languages
- Spanish
- English
Education
- Coaching fundamentals, CTI;
- Specialist in scouting and analysing matches, MBP School of
Coaches;
- Football coach, Mexican Football Federation;
- Bachelor in business administration, Universidad Anáhuac.
Football career
- Played for Trabzonspor, Ankaragücü, Lille OSC, FC Nuremberg,
ŠK Slovan Bratislava, DVSC Debrecen;
- 82 caps for the Slovak national team;
- Two-time Slovak Cup winner, 2017 and 2018; German Cup winner,
2007; two-time Slovak championship winner, 2013 and 2018;
Footballer of the Year in Slovakia, 2006; first Slovakian goal scorer
in the history of the World Cup, 2010; second top scorer, World
Cup 2010; DFB-Pokal winner, 2007.
Languages
- Slovak
- English
- Czech
- German
- French
Education
- UEFA A Licence.
Work history
- Assistant coach, RB Leipzig;
- Senior international scout, Arsenal Football Club.
Football career
- Played for TSV 1860 München, FC St. Pauli, Ipswich Town FC,
Fulham FC, Arsenal FC, Wimbledon FC;
- Two-time FA Youth Cup winner, 2000 and 2001.
Languages
- German
- English
- French
Education
- Bachelor of arts: social science and economics
with French linguistics, Open University, UK;
- UEFA A Licence
Work history
- National president’s advisor in charge of international relations,
National Cameroonian Footballers’ Union (SYNAFOC).
Football career
- Played for Club Nacional de Football, Gazişehir Gaziantep F.K.,
Osmanlıspor, Fenerbahçe SK, Istanbul BB, RCD Mallorca, CA
Osasuna, Stade Banjul;
- 58 caps for the Cameroonian national team;
- Three-time Uruguayan champion, 2000, 2001 and 2002; Copa del
Rey runner-up, 2005; Turkish champion, 2014; Turkish Cup winner,
2013; Turkish Super Cup winner, 2014; Copa Sudamericana
top scorer, 2002.
Languages
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Turkish
Work history
- Instructor, Jiangnan University;
- Football team coach, Jiangnan University;
- Instructor, coaching course, Chinese Football Association.
Football career
- Played for Jiangsu;
- 80 caps for the Chinese national team;
- Attended FIFA Women’s World Cup, 2007; attended Olympic
Games, 2008; attended Asian Cup, 2014.
Languages
- Chinese
- English
Education
- Master’s degree in athletic training programme;
- Bachelor’s degree in physical education and sports teaching;
- AFC A Licence.