Several Premier League footballers, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Taiwo Awoniyi, are studying alongside their professional careers as they prepare for possible future roles as sporting directors.
The players have been balancing academic work with the demands of top-level football. Their studies have continued during the football season, with some using travel time on team buses during away trips to keep up with their education.
The pathway reflects an effort by current players to develop careers beyond the pitch. Rather than waiting until their playing days are over, Dewsbury-Hall, Awoniyi and others are undertaking training while continuing to compete in the Premier League.
Their intended destination is the sporting director role, which involves working within a club’s football structure. The programme highlights how some professional players are preparing for a transition into football management and administration while still active as footballers.
The study commitments add another responsibility to the schedules of players already managing the demands of professional sport. For those involved, education is being fitted around matches, travel and their wider football careers.
