The rapid global growth of the sport industry has prompted the need for a more commercial approach to the management of sport clubs. This book is the first study of its kind to focus on the management of professional football clubs, providing a real-world insight into management principles and their practical application.

The international commercialisation of football has led to a fundamental transformation of the industry's management practices, given the financial rewards of success and the high price of failure. This book presents a critical examination of this transformation, questioning why clubs are increasingly adopting management strategies from other industries. Each chapter analyses the role played by a key leadership figure within a club, such as the owner, chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief operating officer (COO), director of football (DoF), and head coach. Full of exclusive interviews, case studies and examples of best practice, this book sheds new light on the challenges of working in this extraordinarily high-pressure environment.

Football Club Management: Insights from the Field is fascinating reading for all those working in or studying the management, marketing or administration of football.

About the Author

Ian Lawrence is a Senior Lecturer in Sports Management at Teesside University, UK, where he runs the BA Hons Sports Management and Marketing degree programme. He has strong links to elite-level football both in the UK and the US. Currently, he leads on a number of research projects that explore the challenges faced by senior leaders and executives within the professional game. He is an Associate Member of the Centre for the Study of Football at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, and serves on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Research Initiatives.

Reviews

"I met Ian many months ago on the eve of a Fulham FC game away to Sunderland, and at that time the role of the Director of Football (DoF) was still relatively uncommon in the clubs hierarchy. Thankfully Ian has dedicated his time to articulate what many other authors have failed to achieve, producing a brilliant insight into how elite clubs operate and a 'behind the scenes' look at the balance between football and business operations. I am sure this book will help to enlighten both football fans and academics and advance the role of the DoF in the modern game." - Mike Rigg, former Technical Director at Manchester City Football Club and former Head of Talent Management at the Football Association

"Ian's book presents a clear and analytical review of the football landscape from both a management and business perspective. It provides the reader with a valuable and detailed insight into how professional Football Clubs are organized." - Mark Wotte, former Performance Director at the Scottish Football Association

Book Information
ISBN 9780367894146
Author Ian Lawrence
Format Paperback
Page Count 176
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 280g