The Premier League footballers studying to be sporting directors
Several Premier League footballers are pursuing postgraduate diplomas in global football sport directorship through the PFA Business School. Players like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Taiwo Awoniyi are preparing for post-playing careers by developing leadership and business management skills.
Why it matters
This trend highlights a growing emphasis on professional development and long-term career planning among elite athletes beyond their active playing years.
Image source, PFA Image caption, Steve Cook and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are among those looking at football careers beyond their playing days
Football reporter at PFA graduation ceremony Published 30 September 2026, 07:41 BST The scene resembles an Oxbridge graduation ceremony, but those gathered in caps and gowns are in fact Premier League footballers or former players who have won major honours in Europe and around the world.
The 2026 cohort of graduates from the PFA Business School includes Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Coventry City striker Taiwo Awoniyi and a host of well-known figures.
In the event at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Cesar Azpilicueta tells the group how studying on the morning of the 2021 Champions League final helped take his mind off the occasion before he captained Chelsea to a 1-0 win over Manchester City in Porto.
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