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After representing her country on the pitch, Renate Lingor transitioned to a career at the German Football Association, where she flourishes in her role as All-Star Player Co-ordinator.  We caught up with Renate to hear how life has been since retiring her boots.  Where did your passion for football begin? In Germany, football is very popular. I was lucky enough to have an older brother who let me play with [...]

Having most recently managed Championship side Wigan Athletic, two-time Premier League winner Kolo Toure dreams of leading a trophy winning side. The second-most capped player for the Ivory Coast, Kolo was beyond proud to see his country claim victory at the recent African Cup of Nations. We caught up with Kolo to hear more about life off the pitch: We have to start with your career at Arsenal, how did [...]

As we enter a new year, the MIP Alumni Association reflect on what has been a positive 2023. With the establishment of a new board and much improved communication, the MIP Alumni Association have worked hard to ensure it represents and serves its members effectively. We sat down with MIP Alumni Association Board Member, Joao Neves Benedito to look back on an incredible year. Tell us about the alumni in 2023 and [...]

Sports agent Maxwell’s love of football helps him to create the perfect atmosphere for the beautiful game to grow. With an immense passion on protecting the players and the game, Maxwell thrives on seeing footballers succeed. We spoke with him to find out more … How did your journey into football begin?  I was the youngest son and would play with my father and brothers. Then, like all children in [...]

© FIFPro For most players, hours of gruelling training followed by intense games is enough to fill a weekly schedule, but Verónica Boquete dedicates her time to much more than her pitch skills. Working tirelessly to ensure everyone is given their best chance in football, the Fiorentina forward campaigns for real change both on and off the pitch. 

We spoke with Vero to hear more… Who or what inspired you [...]

© The Guardian In his role as Board of Directors' lead for equality, diversity and inclusion at Charlton Athletic, Paul Elliott uses his deep passion for EDI to make a true difference in the world of football. Regarded as a trailblazer throughout his whole career, Paul has a trusted voice in the football community, something which he uses to create positive change for the future.

We spoke with him to find [...]

Joel Cohen and Chris Mann from the Sportsology Group speaking at the General Assembly. The MIP Alumni Association is pleased to announce a partnership with Sportsology Group, a leading provider of premium knowledge, strategic advisory, and operational support in the Sports Industry. “This partnership presents an opportunity for the MIP Alumni to continue their learning, to better develop and understand the skills required to secure executive, decision making roles within [...]

David Loriya, Director General of the project, President of the Astana Football Federation, and Yerlan Alimbayev, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN in Geneva and Garreth Farrelly, President of the UEFA MIP Alumni Association. At the recently held MIP Alumni Association General Assembly at UEFA HQ in Nyon, coinciding with the graduation of MIP4, the association, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SuperBol, a Social Football project in Kazakhstan. [...]

As Chief Football Development Officer at CONCACAF, Jason Roberts uses his wealth of experience on the pitch to pave the way for the future of football. He drives the Confederations plans across education, women’s football and professionalisation, making a true difference to the game. We caught up with him to hear about his impressive career… Where did your love for football come from? I was born with a football in [...]

Manager of Women’s Football at the Dutch FA, Lucienne Reichardt works hard to raise the bar of the women’s game, providing equal opportunities at all levels. She utilises her successful playing career to bring experience, knowledge and burning passion to every aspect of her work. We spoke to her to find out more on her dreams for the women’s game. Tell me where your love of football came from and [...]

Annike Krahn is currently the Germany under 17's team manager and is a born leader on and off the pitch. With 137 caps for her national team, the German legend has enjoyed a successful playing career, featuring in both the Paris-Saint-Germain and Bayer Leverkusen squads. Away from the pitch, she continues to be a trailblazer for women’s football, leading open conversations on ways to improve the game. 

We caught up [...]

Eintracht Frankfurt Project manager Lise Munk has proven to be successful both on and off the pitch. During her playing career she was able to play in the UEFA Champions League, as well as appearing on her national team squad, now she is able to help countless people achieve their dreams in football. We spoke with Lise to hear more on her inspirational career … Where did your love for [...]

©The Times “The MIP Alumni Association wants people to take power from the fact that once their playing career is finished, there's an exciting road ahead. It’s great to meet others that have walked that same path as you and can help you develop.” MIP Alumni Association President, Gareth Farrelly is passionate about connecting the ex-players of the world and assisting them to unlock a new lease of life.  He wishes to [...]

The MIP Alumni Association, an organisation of graduates from an executive master for former international players created by UEFA, is extending its ties with FIFPRO the worldwide representative organisation for professional footballers. At a time where the need for player-centric views in the football industry has never been greater, this partnership aims to create synergies between current and former players to provide new and innovative perspectives on the workforce priorities of [...]

The MIP Alumni Association enjoyed two days of learning, networking and celebration at UEFA HQ in Geneva earlier this month.  During their time together the MIP Alumni held their General Assembly, attended the graduation of MIP II, and also meet with the newest cohort of former international players in MIP III. Other features include a focused session on the direction of the MIP Alumni with Andrea Rosso, a motivational presentation [...]

The MIP Alumni Association has today given it's full support to member, Keld Bordinggaard, in a dispute with the University of Southern Denmark.  In a Letter of Support, signed by 40 members, the association expressed the following: In April 2013 our colleague Keld Bordinggaard presented his project of a national football centre in Odense, Denmark. We have been aware of Keld's project and work for years. Some of us have [...]

The MIP Alumni Association came together in Budapest at the weekend for their Annual General Assembly. Those attending included Nuno Gomes, Bianca Rech, Bruno Cheyrou, Annike Krahn, Michael Johnson, Mbo Mpenza, Nikos Dabizas, Kumar Thapa, Dan Romann, Mãris Verpakovskis and Keld Bordinggaard. The two-day meeting featured presentations on Race and Sport from highly respected academic Professor Ben Carrington, Copa90’s Women’s Football Strategy delivered by Rebecca Smith and Soraya Rowley and [...]

Bianca Rech, Team Manager @ Bayern Munich Ladies - Abstract on Being a Gamechanger in Women's Football   Women`s football continues to grow.The report suggests organising, including and integrating women’s football in men`s professional football. A common professional structure will support the growth of women’s football. However, for women`s football to exploit untapped market, it must be done considering and respecting the peculiarities of the women’s game. Done properly it [...]

Simon Rolfes, Head of Youth Development @ Bayer 04 Leverkusen - Abstract on the 'Infrastructure Analysis of Top Clubs in Europe' for UEFA MIP Masters A talent academy is an important strategic tool in creating a quality player pipeline for the first team as well as a club identity. The report analyses the infrastructure in nine European top clubs and focuses on the three main departments, first team, youth and [...]

Former Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder, Simon Rolfes, is now the Bayer Leverkusen Sporting Director. We spoke to Simon and learnt more about his career as a player, his experiences playing for Germany at Euro 2008 and the positives of the MIP Alumni course.   Tell us about your career on the pitch? I played for five season at Werder Bremen, then I moved on to Alemnannia Aachen which allowed [...]

Simon Rolfes, a graduate from the inaugural UEFA MIP course, has been named as the Sporting Director of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.  Simon is now one of the youngest Sporting Directors in the Bundesliga at 36 years old. The MIP graduate retired from professional football less than four years ago, after starring for Leverkusen and playing 377 games for the club and scoring 48 goals. He replaces the previous Sporting Director, [...]

We had the pleasure of speaking to Keld Bordinggaard, MIP board member and ex-Silkeborg IF and Denmark International and now owner of 'Bordinggaard Football' Keld gives us a greater understanding of his journey from being a young footballer in Denmark, to becoming a Danish International, then transititioning to the coaching side of the game. Then finally, he gives us a great understanding of his time on the UEFA MIP course [...]

MIP board members Bianca Rech and Bruno Cheyrou waited in anticipation of the draw for the Quarter-Finals of the 2018/19 UEFA Women's Champions League Draw. Bruno and Bianca have done a fantastic job leading their teams as Sporting Director and Team Manager, respectively. Their teams PSG Ladies and Bayern Munich Ladies were kept apart in the draw and will only play each other if they both reach the final. PSG [...]

Jason Roberts is currently in Cairo, Egypt at an important discussion with FIFA to meet up with the Technical & Development Committee. In light of the latest incidents, violence in stadia, referees refusing to use the VAR, a player tearing his shirt in front of his complicit coach, the President has reaffirmed his willingness to undertake various reforms. Despite the 26 referees who have been sanctioned and the ongoing investigations, [...]

The first cohort of MIP alumni met up in Lyon, France earlier this year. The MIP Alumni looked back at the tremendous memories that the UEFA MIP course has helped to create as they court up and re-connected over a game of futsal. MIP alumni including current PSG Ladies Sporting Director, Bruno Cheyrou, Simon Rolfes, Mbo Mpenza, and Christian Karembeu were all present at this meeting and even had a futsal game to [...]

We spoke to ex-Bayern Munich Ladies and Germany defender, and now current Bayern Munich ladies Sporting Director and MIP Board member, Bianca Rech. Here is part of the transcript of her interview.   What are the best pieces of advice you’ve been given about management? Bianca: Best piece of advice – Listen to people. Don’t just decide because you think it’s the right thing to do. When you work in a group [...]

UEFA has announced that Roberto Rosetti is to replace Pierluigi Collina as its Chief Refereeing Officer, after Collina announced his decision to step down for personal reasons at the UEFA summer refereeing course in Nyon yesterday. Roberto Rosetti, 50, was an international referee from 2002 up to his retirement in 2010. The highlight of his career came during UEFA EURO 2008, where he refereed the opening match between Switzerland and [...]

As the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia has been completed it has been great to see a number of our alumni attend the World Cup in a variety of capacities. Alumni who have travelled out to Russia include Bruno Cheyrou, Nuno Gomes, Christian Karembeu and Jason Roberts. It is great to see our alumni have attended the World Cup in different capacities as Bruno, Nuno [...]

FC Barcelona announces that Robert Fernández will not extend his contract as the football first team technical secretary which runs out on 30 June of this year. The Club would like to thank Robert Fernández publicly for his commitment and dedication to FC Barcelona over the years and wishes him success in the future. As such, FC Barcelona also announces that Éric Abidal will take over the role as [...]

UEFA MIP Alumnus Bruno Cheyrou was recently been named as PSG Ladies' Sporting Director in November last year. Bruno's remit is to optimise PSG Ladies' competitiveness and instill a clearer organisational structure at the club. In addition to this, Bruno leads on the recruitment of players to coaches to the club. Last season PSG Ladies finished in third place outside of the Women's Champions League places. Bruno has helped to [...]

It was great to see MIP Alumni Christian Karembeu, Nuno Gomes and Eric Abidal take part in the successful Match for Solidarity game in Geneva. There was also additional MIP representation in the form current students in the form of Gaizka Mendieta and Youri Djorkaeff.The match which was watched by over 23,000 fans was full of quality and saw Luis Figo's team finish 4-3 winners against Ronaldinho's team with goals [...]

Christian Karembeu has signed the 'Athens Principle' on behalf of Olympiacos FC where he is currently strategic advisor. This principle was devised by Nottingham Forest owner and shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis and is backed by Harvard University. The initiative's primary aim is to promote the right to take part in sport. It has a code of practice which includes 12 principles which all clubs are urged to follow and "Encourages people to take up [...]

UEFA MIP Alumni committee member Jason Roberts MBE was named as the CONCACAF Director of Development in November 2017.  In his new role, Jason will focus on managing and strengthening the Confederation’s core development programs including grassroots, coaching education, and professional football development initiatives. Jason has now relocated to Miami where the CONCACAF HQ is based.  As part of CONCACAF's expansion Jason will lead on two focus areas - Professional Football [...]