Simon Rolfes and Bayer Leverkusen – a story of relentless improvement
Monday, October 21, 2024
Article summary
Bayer Leverkusen's steady success over recent seasons is no accident. While the team’s on-pitch talent has been crucial, a significant part of this success is rooted in the strategic leadership of the club's sporting director, Simon Rolfes.
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As Leverkusen thrive under coach Xabi Alonso and Rolfes' leadership, the latter’s successful career transition serves as an inspiring example of how the right education and forward-thinking can pave the way for excellence both on and off the pitch.
From player to the boardroom
Once a defensive midfielder for Leverkusen and the German national team, Rolfes has seamlessly transitioned into a pivotal role off the pitch, a well-planned career move that he achieved by going back to study on the UEFA Executive Master for International Players (UEFA MIP), a prestigious two-year master’s degree in football management.
This programme, offered by the UEFA Academy in partnership with the Centre for Sports Law and Economics (CDES) at the University of Limoges and the Birkbeck Sport Business Centre at the University of London, is designed to help former international football and futsal players, referees and coaches prepare for high-level administrative roles.
The UEFA MIP: Bridging the gap
The UEFA MIP aims to connect the on-field expertise of former players with the off-field skills necessary for football management. Rolfes found the programme to be an ideal transition between his playing career and professional football management. "The course covers the entire spectrum of modern football management, and you dive straight into the inner workings of the business off the pitch, with top-class speakers from clubs, companies, and universities. There was also a good mix of theory and practice," he explained.
The programme's comprehensive curriculum provides essential knowledge in areas such as strategic management, leadership and football governance. Additionally, its networking opportunities have been invaluable, allowing the 42-year-old to build connections benefiting his role at Leverkusen.
What were the biggest takeaways for Rolfes from the course? "An overview of the football landscape, not only the perspective of the player, and the sporting network for the upcoming years," Rolfes explained. "I have made countless contacts that are now invaluable to me in my role at Bayer Leverkusen."
One among many
Rolfes’ path mirrors that of other former players who also pursued the UEFA MIP or are currently studying to help them access top management positions in leading football organisations.
"When I stopped playing professionally, I was looking for new challenges! The goal was to find my new career. I knew that I had a lot of experience as a team leader, but I wanted to increase my skills, my knowledge and continue to develop. So, the UEFA MIP was the right place for me to start. This programme is tailor-made for former players with a lot of active learning, practical exercises and real-life situations."
"The UEFA MIP is something unique. It’s not about getting an education from a regular university, it is so much more! The team spirit we experience every day with fellow participants is inspirational. We love football, we are team-mates and you can feel that in every session. This programme has led me to develop both personally and professionally. I have realised just how important the skills that I gained as a professional player are and how I have managed to turn them into managerial skills."
"Already when I was playing at Leverkusen, I started thinking about my options. When you turn 30 and you start seeing everyone getting younger around you in the team, you start thinking about your future goals. Even more so when I got injured. The UEFA MIP is the solution I chose in the end."
About the UEFA Academy
Building on the professional excellence UEFA has established throughout its history and the learning initiatives developed over the last decade, the UEFA Academy inspires the education of individuals and organisations to continuously elevate the game.
Since its foundation, the UEFA Academy has trained more than 3,800 graduates from 145 nations around the world, offering 62 learning initiatives each year.
An initiative funded by EURO revenue
The UEFA Academy is funded by the HatTrick programme, which redistributes each men's EURO's net revenue back into developing the game.
From July 2024 to June 2028, each of our member associations is eligible to receive up to €17 million. By 2028, we will have invested €3.5 billion back into the European game's development through HatTrick.