LMA LEADERS PROGRAMME
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PREMIER LEAGUE.
Programme
Programme
Intended
Programme
Assessment
Leadership
Group
THE LMA LEADERS PROGRAMME EQUIPS FOOTBALL MANAGERS WITH THE TOOLS, EXPERTISE, AND GUIDANCE TO LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE AND SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE GAME AT THE ELITE LEVEL.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PREMIER LEAGUE, THE LMA LEADERS PROGRAMME REPRESENTS THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF THE LMA’S MEMBER SERVICES BY DELIVERING A BESPOKE EXPERIENCE TAILORED TO EACH PARTICIPANT’S UNIQUE NEEDS.
Richard Bevan OBE LMA Chief Executive
WELCOME: RICHARD BEVAN OBE.
LMA CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Based at the National Football Centre, St George’s Park, the League Managers Association (LMA) traces its history back to 1919 and has been operating in its current structure since 1992.
The modern LMA has established itself as a leader in the game, guided by and delivering to its members. It has become a globally renowned organisation that prides itself on the positive impact it has on the careers of its members and on the game.
Our mission is to provide the highest standard of guidance, expertise and resources, equipping our members to succeed at the elite level. In partnership with the Premier League, the LMA Leaders Programme represents the breadth and depth of the LMA’s Member Services by delivering a bespoke experience tailored to each participant’s unique needs.
Through expert coaching, targeted interventions and facilitated experiences with senior LMA members, the Leaders Programme provides individualised support to accelerate career development at the highest level.
The LMA is committed to driving diversity and inclusion in football, ensuring that talent from all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive and shape the future of our sport.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW.
The LMA Leaders Programme is a tailored, needs-based initiative designed to support high-potential coaches and managers aspiring for a career at the highest level in the football industry.
Over 12 months, participants engage in bespoke 1-to-1 coaching from an assigned Programme Coach, carefully selected based on the individuals’ needs and career aspirations. Participants benefit from group-based activities, bespoke support and skills coaching guided by a comprehensive needs analysis, and access to the LMA’s network of experts and consultants.
WHO.
High-potential and committed individuals aspiring to coach and mange at the highest level of professional football.
WHEN.
Participants will engage throughout the year, please see the programme timeline for the exact dates.
DURATION.
12 months – January to December 2025.
WHERE.
A blend of online and face-to-face activities.
PARTICIPANTS.
10 – 15.
PRICE.
Funded by the League Managers Association & Premier League.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE.
1. PROGRAMME COACHES.
2. ASSESSMENT PROCESS.
Each participant will be carefully matched with their Programme Coach, who will provide guidance throughout their journey, offering both support and challenge. Participants will receive a well-rounded assessment of their current wellbeing, psychometric profile and performance needs. This will be steered with support from the Programme Coaches to inform and create the participant’s development action plan.
3. LEADERSHIP SHORT COURSE.
LMA partner Aleda, a globally recognised leadership developer, is trusted by coaches and leaders around the world to enhance their capabilities. Participants will complete the Aleda Connect course, consisting of 8 online modules within group coaching cells.
4. BESPOKE SUPPORT & SKILLS COACHES.
Based on individual needs, the LMA will link participants to our team of programme consultants & skills coaches to receive bespoke support on a number of relevant areas.
5. GROUP ACTIVITIES.
6. MENTORS & SENIOR LMA MEMBERS.
The LMA is proud to work with managers who have succeeded at the highest level of professional football. Throughout the Leaders Programme journey, the LMA can facilitate opportunities for participants to converse with our Senior Members. Throughout the course, participants will have opportunities to observe elite level operations in diverse and high pressured environments.
ENGAGING EXPERTISE
Participants gain access to top industry experts and senior leaders, benefitting from their experience and insights.
EMBRACING DIVERSITY
The LMA is committed to diversity and inclusion across all of its programmes.
VOCATIONALLY RELEVANT
The content is directly aligned with the demands of elite level football management, ensuring practical and applicable insights.
HOLISTIC APPROACH
The programme addresses every aspect of a participant’s professional and personal development, based on the LMA’s personal development model, ensuring well-rounded growth.
MEMBER CENTRED
Each participant’s individual needs and goals are at the core of the programme, driving personlised support and interventions.
PROGRAMME PRINCIPLES.
WELLBEING FOCUSED
The programme prioritises the mental and physical wellbeing of participants, recognising its importance in sustained leadership success.
BESPOKE SUPPORT
Tailored to the unique circumstances and needs of each participant.
INTENDED OUTCOMES.
The LMA Leaders programme is designed to prepare participants to operate at the top of professional football.
• ENHANCED SELF-AWARENESS
Participants will gain deeper insight into their strengths, areas for development, and leadership style, enabling more effective selfmanagement and decision making.
• STRUCTURED OWNERSHIP
Participants will develop the ability to take structured control of their career growth, taking ownership of their personal and professional trajectory in a supportive environment.
• INCREASED LEADERSHIP
The programme will cultivate advanced leadership skills, empowering participants to inspire and manage teams with confidence.
• DEVELOPED VOCATIONAL RELEVANCE
Participants will acquire practical skills directly relevant to elite level football management, equipping them to handle the unique challenges of the game.
1. PROGRAMME COACHES.
Each participant will be carefully matched with their Programme Coach, who will provide guidance throughout their journey, offering both support and challenge. The personalised approach ensures focused development and growth aligned with the unique needs of each participant through:
• 12 monthly one-to-one sessions:
• 6 online
• 6 face-to-face
• Referrals to wider industry experts
• Guided in-depth conversations on key subjects
2. ASSESSMENT PROCESS.
Participants will receive a well-rounded assessment of their current wellbeing, psychometric profile and performance needs. This will be steered with support from the Programme Coaches to inform and create the participant’s development action plan.
LMA HEALTH TEST
In partnership with HCA Healthcare UK, the LMA ensures the Leaders Programme focuses on the wellbeing of participants by providing a complimentary health screen tailored to their age and gender, including:
• Cardiovascular health
• Physiological & body chemistry tests
• Medical history & lifestyle questionnaires
PSYCHOMETRIC PROFILING
In line with the intended outcome to enhance self-awareness, participants will undertake a series of HOGAN assessments (listed below) to gain insights into their optimal behaviour, how they respond under pressure, and their core motives and values. The assessments provide a foundation for the Programme Coach to better understand participants as individuals.
• Hogan Personality Inventory (HPI)
• Hogan Development Survey (HDS)
• Motives, Values, Preferences Inventory (MVPI)
NEEDS ANALYSIS
The LMA recognises the need to provide a bespoke programme tailored to the requirements of participants. Delivered by the Programme Coach, the needs analysis covers a detailed series of questions that provoke thought and conversation which integrate into the development action plan (DAP), involving:
• Strengths
• Areas of improvement
• Career Goals
DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN (DAP)
The DAP provides participants with the opportunity to take ownership of their development in an actionable and structured manner. Participants will be guided towards, and given unrivalled access to, elements that will enhance personal development and leadership skills. Programme Coaches will use the participant’s DAP as a reference point to ensure accountability throughout the programme.
3. LEADERSHIP SHORT COURSE.
LMA partner Aleda, a globally recognised leadership developer, is trusted by coaches and leaders around the world to enhance their capabilities. They deliver dynamic online group coaching sessions, providing participants with invaluable tools to navigate the challenges of elite-level football management.
• Group coaching cells
• 8 modules
• 90-minute virtual sessions
• Facilitated discussions
• Input from Senior LMA Members
A selection of elite-level sports leaders who have benefitted from Aleda’s leadership course includes: Mikel Arteta, Ange Postecoglou, Martin Ødegaard, Tanya Obst, Breanna Stewart and Pat Cummins.
BRILLIANT SESSIONS, SO MUCH TO TAKE IN, MUSIC TO MY EARS. IT’S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE!
Mikel Arteta LMA Member
Module 1: INTRODUCTION
In this session we introduce Aleda and the participating leaders. Leaders will share a little about themselves and what they’re hoping to gain from Aleda Connect.
We’ll briefly discuss the dimensions of empowering leadership (Insight, Collaboration, Vision, Curiosity, Communication and Impact) and provide an opportunity for leaders to gain feedback via the Empowering Leaders Survey.
Module 4: VISION
Vision reminds us about what we need to focus on every day. In great organisations, vision will affect how employees conduct themselves – how they interact with each other, how they represent the organisation, how they make decisions and the quality of work they do. A shared vision can energise people by connecting them to the purpose of the organisation or department.
In this session we focus on effectively sharing vision to inspire and lead to action.
Module 5: CURIOSITY
Research shows that leaders who are curious are the most successful. Curious leaders continually question their ideas: they experiment, they explore and they encourage others in their teams to question things.
Curious leaders ask non-judgemental questions and create the conditions for rich discussions.
Module 2: INSIGHT
Insights move you from knowing something to wanting to do something. It is important that we continually examine data and information to understand where we are now. This in turn helps us to determine where we need to go. In this session we reflect on our strengths and opportunities for improvement.
With self-awareness and a growth mindset we develop a personal action plan.
Module 3: COLLABORATION
Research shows that human beings are wired for collaboration and connection. When we collaborate, creativity unfolds; the sparks fly faster, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. There is an increasing demand for people to be able to collaborate effectively with others.
This session explores structures and strategies for collaborative problem solving and decision making.
Module 6: COMMUNICATION
Excellent communication skills are essential for effective leadership. A leader needs to be able to effectively share their ideas and knowledge: ‘If a leader can’t get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn’t even matter.’ (Gilbert Amelio) In this session, we reflect on our communication skills to improve our relationships and increase our productivity.
A particular focus are the areas of listening and providing effective feedback.
Module 8: CONCLUSION
During this session we’ll reflect on the key learnings from the Aleda Connect experience and map out a focus and actions for each leader moving forward. We ask participants to complete a feedback form in this session.
Module 7: IMPACT
Leadership impact refers to how our actions affect others. To be a successful leader, you must understand how to utilise the skills of all members of your team and create the conditions for success. Understanding the capabilities of others and using these to contribute collaboratively, ensures that you are setting others up for success and building their capacity.
In this session we focus on creating conditions for success.
4. BESPOKE SUPPORT & SKILLS COACHING.
Based on individual needs, the LMA will link participants to our team of programme consultants & skills coaches to receive bespoke support on the following areas:
COACHING & SPORTS SCIENCE
Experts can guide participants on how to effectively use relevant coaching and sports science principles and offer coaching observations.
COMMUNICATION & MEDIA
Learn how to communicate effectively, considering media interaction and presentation skills.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Gain insights into creating equitable environments and harnessing the strengths of diverse teams.
EMPLOYMENT & CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Access expert advice to obtain employment and career development tools such as contract advice, personal branding and CV writing.
FOOTBALL FINANCES & CLUB STRUCTURES
Acquire an understanding of the current landscape of club structures, financial management and current financial regulations.
LANGUAGES
Improve language skills through targeted language coaching, to enhance communication with diverse teams and stakeholders.
LEADERSHIP
Develop a deeper understanding of leadership and secure strategies for success.
LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT
Learn how to optimise performance and balance the demands of football management with personal wellbeing.
SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY
Gain the tools to enhance mental performance and learn how to apply these successfully.
LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT
LEADERSHIP
SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY
COACHING & SPORTS SCIENCE
FOOTBALL FINANCES & CLUB STRUCTURES LANGUAGES
COMMUNICATION & MEDIA
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
EMPLOYMENT & CAREER DEVELOPMENT
5. GROUP ACTIVITIES.
Throughout the course, participants will have opportunities to observe elite level operations in diverse and high pressured environments. By experiencing these settings, participants can learn valuable lessons in team performance, leadership and decision making, all of which are transferable to football management. Group activities and performance visits will include:
6. MENTORS & SENIOR LMA MEMBERS.
The LMA is proud to work with managers who have succeeded at the highest level of professional football. Throughout the Leaders Programme journey, the LMA can facilitate opportunities for participants to converse with our Senior Members and gather:
• Insights into elite football management and coaching
• Guidance on vocational challenges
• Valuable lessons on leadership
• Mentorship and support
• Networking opportunities
PROGRAMME TIMELINE.
Applications
Selection & Admissions
Candidate Offers
Registration & Onboarding
Assigned Programme Coach
Assessment Process
Development Action Plan
Kick-Off Event: St George’s Park
Leadership Short Course - ALEDA
PROGRAMME CONSULTANTS & SKILLS COACHES.
Brian Ashton MBE Former England Rugby Coach
Dr Andy Cale Mentoring & Coaching Consultant
Anna Edwards Career Consultant
Dr Fairuz Awenat Clinical Psychologist
Piero Carrino Career Consultant
Alistair Eykyn Media Consultant
Funke Awoderu EDI Consultant
Monique Choudhuri EDI Consultant
Simon Felstein Media Consultant
Professor Sue Bridgewater Leadership Consultant
Mark Clemmit Broadcaster & Presentation Coach
Tim Foster MBE LMA Performance Consultant
Chris Gibbons EDI Consultant
Dr Allan Johnston LMA Consultant Psychiatrist
Rebecca Levett Performance Psychologist
Josh Hershman Media Consultant
Steve Johnson Performance Psychologist
Jane Longworth Career Consultant
Sarah Hopkins Career Consultant
Dr Jennifer Lace LMA Consultant Psychologist
Kieran Maguire Football Finance Analyst
Robert Hunt Language Learning Consultant
Nick Levett Leadership & Coaching Consultant
Steve Martin Behavioural Scientist & Leadership Consultant
PROGRAMME CONSULTANTS & SKILLS COACHES.
John Mitchell England Women’s Rugby Coach
Dave Slemen Career Consultant
Justyn Price Coaching Consultant
Dr Tim Rogers LMA Consultant Psychiatrist
Katie Mobed Performance Psychologist
Dr Christina Philippou Football Finance Consultant
Ged Salzano Leadership Consultant
Dr Peter Olusoga Chartered Psychologist
Steve Radcliffe Leadership Consultant
Dr Mustafa Sarker Sport & Performance Psychologist
Oli Patrick Wellbeing Consultant
Holly Sedlacek Leadership Consultant
Russell Watters EDI Consultant
Tony Smith Rugby League Coach
Cathy Wood Media Consultant
Jeremy Snape Performance Consultant
Professor Vin Walsh Professor of Human Brain Research
APPLICATION CRITERIA.
To ensure equitable access to the programme, we welcome applications from those who meet the following criteria:
• LMA Member
• Managed or coached at first-team level in the professional game within 4 years
• Hold a current UEFA Pro Licence and/or LMA Diploma in Football Management
• Demonstrate your commitment to learning and development
SELECTION
Suitable participants who meet the above criteria will be reviewed by the selection committee and may be invited to an interview.
REBECCA GENTLE
Member Services Director
Rebecca.Gentle@leaguemanagers.com
MIKE GILMORE
Member Services Manager
Mike.Gilmore@leaguemanagers.com