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.
Class of 2021
Rene
ADLER
Graduates > Class of 2021
Rene ADLER
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 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
Gal
ALBERMAN
Graduates > Class of 2021
Gal ALBERMAN
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
Andrey
ARSHAVIN
Graduates > Class of 2021
Andrey ARSHAVIN
Work History
+
Advisor to the president on youth football, FC Zenit St Petersburg
Football analyst, Match TV
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
Federico
BALZARETTI
Graduates > Class of 2021
Federico BALZARETTI
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
João
BENEDITO
Graduates > Class of 2021
João BENEDITO
Work History
+
Founder and chief executive officer, Personal Line
Bachelor’s degree in business management, Iseg – Lisbon School of Economics and Management
Didier
DROGBA
Graduates > Class of 2021
Didier DROGBA
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
Júlio César
Espíndola
Graduates > Class of 2021
Júlio César Espíndola
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
Two-time Goalkeeper of the Year in Serie A, 2009 and 2010
Languages
+
Portuguese
English
Italian
Khalilou
FADIGA
Graduates > Class of 2021
Khalilou FADIGA
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
Clemens
FRITZ
Graduates > Class of 2021
Clemens FRITZ
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
Emile
HESKEY
Graduates > Class of 2021
Emile HESKEY
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
Languages
+
English
Sergei
HOHLOV-SIMSON
Graduates > Class of 2021
Sergei HOHLOV-SIMSON
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
Aaron
HUGHES
Graduates > Class of 2021
Aaron HUGHES
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
Languages
+
English
Education
+
UEFA B Licence
Kim
KÄLLSTRÖM
Graduates > Class of 2021
Kim KÄLLSTRÖM
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
Viktor
KASSAI
Graduates > Class of 2021
Viktor KASSAI
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
Languages
+
Hungarian
English
German
Education
+
Sports manager course (basic level) organised by the Hungarian Football Federation
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
Lise
KLAVENESS
Graduates > Class of 2021
Lise KLAVENESS
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
Danko
LAZOVIĆ
Graduates > Class of 2021
Danko LAZOVIĆ
Football Career
+
Played for Vidi FC, NK Olimpija, Beijing BSU, FK Partizan Belgrade, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, FK Zenit Saint Petersburg, FK Rostov, PSV Eindhoven, Vitesse Arnhem, Feyenoord Rotterdam, Bayer 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
Ricardo ‘Kaká’
Leite
Graduates > Class of 2021
Ricardo ‘Kaká’ Leite
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
David
LORIYA
Graduates > Class of 2021
David LORIYA
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 in physical education, faculty of physical training and sports, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
Janne
MADSEN
Graduates > Class of 2021
Janne MADSEN
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
+
Played for 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
Florent
MALOUDA
Graduates > Class of 2021
Florent MALOUDA
Work History
+
Coach, FC Zurich
Restaurant owner
Football Career
+
Played for Chelsea FC, Olympique Lyonnais, FC Zurich, Wadi Degla, 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
Artur
MORAES
Graduates > Class of 2021
Artur MORAES
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
John
O’SHEA
Graduates > Class of 2021
John O’SHEA
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
Languages
+
English
Education
+
UEFA A License
Miran
PAVLIN
Graduates > Class of 2021
Miran PAVLIN
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
Alexey
SMERTIN
Graduates > Class of 2021
Alexey SMERTIN
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 Leninsk-Kuznetsky, 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
Efstathios
TAVLARIDIS
Graduates > Class of 2021
Efstathios TAVLARIDIS
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
Gerardo
TORRADO
Graduates > Class of 2021
Gerardo TORRADO
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
Robert
VITTEK
Graduates > Class of 2021
Robert VITTEK
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
Moritz
VOLZ
Graduates > Class of 2021
Moritz VOLZ
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
Achille
WEBO
Graduates > Class of 2021
Achille WEBO
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
Xiaojie
WENG
Graduates > Class of 2021
Xiaojie WENG
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
The MIP Alumni Association newsletter shares stories, advice and industry expertise from a dynamic and growing group of former international footballers now in leadership roles.
