Why are footballers snubbing management?

BBC News

15-04-2025

Luka Modric became the latest high-profile footballer to signal his interest in swapping the dressing room for the boardroom.On Monday, it was announced the Real Madrid midfielder was "investor and co-owner" with a minority stake in Championship side Swansea City.BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team looks into why more and more footballers are snubbing management.
More difficult than being a player - Ronaldo
In February, Cristiano Ronaldo expressed a lack of desire to move into the dugout, once his playing days are over."Me as a manager? I don't see it… it's more difficult than being a player," said Ronaldo."If I can be a club owner, why would I be a manager, sporting director or CEO? That is a dream of mine and I am sure I'll be a club owner. I hope to have not just one club, but several clubs."Other players have gone one step further by investing in football clubs before retirement.Kylian Mbappe (SM Caen), Sadio Mane (Bourges Foot 18) Juan Mata (San Diego FC), Wilfried Zaha (AFC Croydon), Cesar Azpilicueta (Hashtag United) and Hector Bellerin (Forest Green) are just some of the names who appear to be planning for life after football.
I've got no interest in being a manager - Beckham
"I've got no interest in being a manager. It's not a passion of mine," said David Beckham (co-owner of Inter Miami and Salford City)."Being a coach is too much work," said Zlatan Ibrahimovic (investor in Hammarby and senior advisor at AC Milan).Both Beckham and Ibrahimovic had public run-ins with managers during their playing careers and it could be argued they are better suited at the top of the tree, rather than managing a squad of 25 players and taking instructions from a board of directors.Football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport, "Footballers do not necessarily want to go into a coach/management role because of the stresses it brings. It also doesn't suit some personalities."
'Modric is not a brand, this isn't financial'
The majority of football clubs do not make enough profit to financially benefit their owners and investors.Swansea's revenue stream has dwindled since their seven-year spell in the top flight ended in 2018 and the club have accumulated losses of £39m over the past three years."I don't believe it's a financial move for the player. Swansea is losing £450,000 a week. He will bring his expertise to the table," said Maguire."Luka Modric is not a brand like Ronaldo, Beckham or Mbappe. He is just a very good footballer. Modric wouldn't be named in a list of top 10 well-known players. Maguire added: "If a player is a brand in their own right, there are financial benefits for them and their clubs. But they do it for the love of the game and it allows them to stay in the realms of football."
Risk or reward?
That is not to say pursuing football club ownership is not without risk.In July 2024, Mbappe completed the takeover of Ligue 2 side Caen, investing £12.6m in a majority stake. His first season in club ownership is likely to end with relegation for the French team.Spain's all-time top goalscorer David Villa was a co-founder of Queensboro FC. Since the club was announced in November 2019, they are yet to make their debut in the USL Championship, the second tier of football in the United States.Eden Hazard was announced as the co-owner - along with former Chelsea team-mate Demba Ba - of San Diego 1904, who were set to play in the North American Soccer League (NASL). The league collapsed before the club could play their first game.Meanwhile, the 'Class of 92' led by Gary Neville are on target to take Salford City to the Championship by 2029. The club reached the English Football League with four promotions in five years but have remained in League Two since 2019.
'From dressing room to boardroom'
Players are actively seeking out opportunities to learn about the business side of the game.Ajax's Jordan Henderson, Aston Villa's Tryone Mings, and Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogam are just some of those taking courses in football business management."The PFA [Professional Footballers Association] has its own business school. Helping assist players from dressing room to boardroom. Rather than the dugout," Maguire added."Footballers have a unique understanding of the game. They can combine skills they have gained from their playing days and can bring that to the boardroom".Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler is enrolled on the PFA Business School's Sporting Directorship programme."There is more to football than playing and coaching. It just isn't about playing and I find that fascinating," said Fowler."We want to see the game grow and be part of it. Coaching and managing is difficult and this job is extremely difficult. It is an avenue to stay within the parameters of football."
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