Simon Mignolet goes back to school
The RBFA, Pro League and University of Antwerp train technical directors of the future
The position of technical director is becoming increasingly important in modern football. He or she determines the club's long-term sporting vision and leads the technical department - including the coaching, medical and scouting staff, youth training, and data analysts. The role of technical director is crucial in the sporting heart of the professional football club. To make that heart beat even faster in the future - and further raise the level of Belgian football - the RBFA, the Pro League and the University of Antwerp are launching a high-quality course for current and future technical directors.
Leading experts will share their expertise with players, former players, coaches, technical directors, and experienced youth trainers who wish to boost their careers, and advance to the top of the sports management of professional football clubs. Peter Willems, Bart Verhaeghe, Alex Kroes, Sven Jaecques, Pierre Locht, Matt Crocker, Maheta Molango, Chris O'Loughlin, and Vincent Mannaert, among others, will give students insight into their experience and know-how in the world of football. Various themes will be covered during the lectures and workshops, such as the functioning of club departments, the development of a high-quality sports department, drawing up a sports strategy and honing leadership skills. The course will be given entirely in English.
The first batch of prospective technical directors will start the course in September 2025. Over two years, they will receive 140 hours of lessons, both in the Proximus Basecamp and online. They complete their training with an internship.
Prof Robby Houben is one of the coordinators of the course for current and future technical directors.
One participant is already known: top footballer Simon Mignolet. He has already enrolled, to have an impact on Belgian football even after his playing career. The RBFA, Pro League and University of Antwerp are now opening registrations for the other candidate participants. They will be selected based on a letter of motivation.
“The role of technical director is demanding. You are in the middle of the action and are confronted with complex problems, while also having to work out and implement a long-term vision. This is very exciting, but not easy. That's why we want to help them realise the full potential of their club.”
– Peter Willems, CEO RBFA
“The education has been developed following talks with active players, who all have expressed an eagerness to learn in-depth about the sporting management of a professional football club. We are pleased to now offer them, in Belgium, an education that is fit for purpose, really preparing them for the job.”
– Robby Houben, professor at the University of Antwerp and one of the program coordinators
“We really see the added value of bringing players, coaches, and sporting directors together to learn about sporting management from seasoned professionals, to share experiences and to grow their professional network. This education does exactly that. Furthermore, the program focuses not only on the sporting director’s function and tasks, but on him or herself too, as well as his or her personal development. This is important, as successful sporting directors are typically strong personalities with leadership capabilities and eagerness to learn.”
– Dennis Henderickx, sports director of the Pro League