The Business of Football

In this deep-dive analysis episode of The Business and Football Network, David Chimbaza explores how football leadership has evolved over the last 10–15 years, moving from the traditional “manager-centric” model to a more sophisticated, multi-layered executive structure. The episode examines how the role of the manager has changed, why sporting directors and CEOs now hold greater authority, and what this shift means for the future of club operations, recruitment and long-term strategy.
David draws on Gareth Southgate’s recent comments about the erosion of managerial authority, using Manchester United as a central case study to show how the post-Ferguson era has seen nearly £100 million spent on managerial and executive compensation since 2013. He contrasts this with clubs like Brighton and Brentford, whose success is built on strong infrastructure, recruitment systems and organisational culture rather than reliance on a single high-profile manager.
The conversation also looks at the rise of the sporting director as a central decision-maker, the tension between short-term fan expectations and long-term squad building, and how ownership models (from FSG to Clearlake to INEOS) have become more visible and influential in day-to-day football decisions. David reflects on what the Manchester City transition from Guardiola to Maresca might reveal about succession planning, and whether modern clubs have learned from United’s instability to build structures that protect both the organisation and the head coach.
HOST BIO Right out of the block, David Chimbaza took his International Football Business degree to do exactly what it says on the tin: Launching his own International Football Business, DTCMEDIAUK. His company works with professional leaders & business owners in the football industry to create, monetise & scale their brands for their business & professional gains. Having created and managed multiple of his own sports social media accounts from the age of 15, many of which have scaled thousands of pounds & millions of views across 3 different platforms, David has constantly found ways to bring new and engaging entertainment to his audience. Now documenting his story of managing his Global business, his experiences in Stewarding, digital management & many more, David will bring you a fresh insight into how anyone can conquer the industry.

In this deep-dive analysis episode of The Business of Football, David Chimbaza breaks down the governance crisis unfolding at FIFA in the wake of the 2026 World Cup. The episode focuses on the fallout from Gianni Infantino’s controversial proposal to create FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), a new commercial subsidiary that would have sold a minority stake in World Cup rights to private investors in a deal reportedly worth up to $4.2 billion. David explains how the plan triggered immediate backlash from UEFA, CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation, who accused FIFA of poor governance, lack of transparency and attempting to push through major commercial changes without proper consultation. The controversy escalated into threats of boycotts across FIFA tournaments, including the Women’s World Cup and youth competitions, and led to calls for Infantino’s resignation as trust in FIFA’s leadership collapsed. The episode also explores the wider implications for football: what the dispute reveals about power dynamics between FIFA and the confederations, how governance failures at the top affect clubs, sponsors, broadcasters and fans, and whether the sport could face a structural split if alternative competitions are pursued. David examines Infantino’s position ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the role of political backing (including public support from Donald Trump), and why restoring transparency and accountability may be more important than any single investment proposal. **This is a must-listen for anyone working in or studying football business, governance, law, commercial strategy or event operations, offering a clear breakdown of one of the most significant off-pitch stories shaping the future of the global game. Our sources: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7505310/2026/08/11/gianni-infantino-fifa-trump-post/ https://offthepitch.com/a/wednesday-briefing-infantino-backs-64-team-world-cup-plan-trump-offers-public-support https://offthepitch.com/a/friday-briefing-uefa-hold-fifa-boycott-infantino-apology-falls-short https://offthepitch.com/a/monday-briefing-infantino-sought-bypass-fifa-council-five-person-approval-investment-plan https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7503475/2026/08/10/gianni-infantino-fifa-resign-uefa-concacaf/

In this special guest episode of The Business and Football Network, David Chimbaza sits down with Daniel Mayhew, Career Progression Manager at the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), to explore education, career development and life after professional football. With previous experience at the Global Institute of Sport and UCFB, Daniel shares his insight into supporting footballers, students and practitioners as they plan their next steps within the sports industry. paste.txt
Daniel explains how the PFA Business School supports players at every stage of their journey, from academy scholars and current professionals to recently retired players and those who have been away from the game for several years. He discusses the realities of transition, the uncertainty that can follow the end of a playing contract or career, and how education can help players develop confidence, identify new opportunities and prepare for life beyond the pitch. paste.txt
The conversation also explores the transferable skills that footballers often fail to recognise in themselves, including leadership, communication, negotiation, influencing, creativity, discipline and teamwork. Daniel explains how these abilities can be connected to roles such as sporting director, coach, scout or other careers in football, while highlighting the importance of building and activating professional networks in an industry where many opportunities are never publicly advertised. paste.txt
David and Daniel also compare the experiences of professional players and sports students, discuss how career coaching and teaching methods have evolved, and examine the value of learning directly from people who are currently working in the industry. This episode offers practical advice and an honest look at how education, self-awareness and networking can help footballers and aspiring professionals build successful careers both within and beyond the game.

In this episode of The Business of Football Network, David Chimbaza reflects on attending the ElevateHER Football conference at UA92, a two-day event focused on women’s football and leadership. Rather than being a passive sit-and-listen conference, Elevate pushed delegates to discuss, collaborate and challenge one another, creating an environment that encouraged real engagement, personal growth and new ideas.
 
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David shares how the conference challenged him to step outside his comfort zone, from taking part in exercises on personal branding and origin stories to reflecting on the value of authentic introductions and stronger networking. He highlights the impact of Chris Mumford’s session, which encouraged attendees to think differently about how they present themselves, and how a simple but effective CV workshop helped make conversations more meaningful and practical.
Alongside his reflections on the event itself, David also talks about the broader mission of the network: showing up not just online, but in real-world spaces, conferences and events where football business conversations actually happen. This episode captures both the learning experience and the ambition behind the platform, as well as the importance of collaboration, confidence and continuous development in the football industry.
HOST BIO Right out of the block, David Chimbaza took his International Football Business degree to do exactly what it says on the tin: Launching his own International Football Business, DTCMEDIAUK. His company works with professional leaders & business owners in the football industry to create, monetise & scale their brands for their business & professional gains. Having created and managed multiple of his own sports social media accounts from the age of 15, many of which have scaled thousands of pounds & millions of views across 3 different platforms, David has constantly found ways to bring new and engaging entertainment to his audience. Now documenting his story of managing his Global business, his experiences in Stewarding, digital management & many more, David will bring you a fresh insight into how anyone can conquer the industry.

In this deep-dive episode of The Business of Football, David Chimbaza explores whether the financial gap in football is still widening and what that means for the future of the sport. Recorded during the summer 2026 transfer window, the episode examines how record-breaking fees, PSR rules and commercial revenue are reshaping the balance of power between elite clubs and the rest of the pyramid.
David draws on the Deloitte Football Money League to show how the top 20 clubs generated €11.2 billion in revenue in 2023–24, with commercial income now the largest revenue stream at 44%. He highlights how big clubs leverage broadcast deals, global branding and multi-use stadiums to grow faster, while smaller clubs face rising costs, travel burdens and pressure to sell players to stay compliant. customchangingrooms+1
The conversation also looks at competitive balance in the Premier League compared to La Liga and the Bundesliga, the role of governing bodies in shaping (or failing to shape) financial fairness, and whether the gap is now a permanent feature of modern football. David closes by asking listeners where they think the trend is heading and whether there is any realistic path back to a more level playing field.

ASHINGTON AFC BBC Documentary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002ypk3
 
In this episode of The Business of Football, David Chimbaza sits down with Nicola Sanders Cooper, the chair of Ashington AFC, to explore what it really takes to help run one of Northumberland’s oldest football clubs. Ashington AFC was formed in 1883, is closely tied to the town’s football heritage, and sits at the heart of its community, making this a conversation about much more than football on the pitch. 
Nicola shares how she moved into the role through her work on the board, initially supporting commercial growth and sponsorship before stepping up as chair, and she reflects on the reality of leading a step four non-league club with a volunteer-driven structure. She discusses the financial pressure of running the club, the challenge of long away travel across the Northern Premier League East Division, and why sustainability matters as much as results.
The conversation also looks at the wider impact Ashington AFC has beyond matchday, including its community role, volunteer base, and the importance of raising awareness for the work done behind the scenes. Nicola explains how the club uses football to support local people, from mental health initiatives to food bank collections, and why the documentary about the club has helped increase awareness, attract sponsorship, and encourage more people to get involved. 
This episode is a thoughtful look at non-league football, community leadership and the hidden work that keeps a historic club alive. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in football operations, grassroots sport, or the people working quietly to protect the future of their club.

In this special wrap-up episode of The Business of Football Network, David Chimbaza reflects on his experience attending the UEFA Under-19 European Championships final between Germany and Spain at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, Wales.
 
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Filmed on the pitch and in the photo areas during the trophy presentation, national anthems and pre-match rituals, this episode captures what it was like to be embedded in the environment of a major UEFA tournament as a media representative for the network.
Alongside pitch-side reflections, David shares key insights from the tournament’s organisation, how UEFA and the Football Association of Wales worked together to deliver a seamless event, and what he learned about operational efficiency, organisational culture and the sheer amount of behind-the-scenes work that goes into every match day. He speaks openly about the challenges and lessons from this first tournament coverage, his approach to continuous improvement, and how the network is evolving its content, production and delivery based on real event experience.
David also explores the broader impact of the tournament for North Wales, the clubs and communities involved, and the opportunities it created for players, coaches, volunteers and aspiring professionals to see how international football events are run from the inside. Grateful to UEFA, the Football Association of Wales and his audience, this episode marks both a celebration of what was achieved and a clear ambition to make the next tournament even stronger, more professional and more valuable for everyone following The Business of Football Network’s journey into live football content.

In this special interview episode of The Business of Football Network, David Chimbaza sits down with Ben Lucey, Senior Event Operations Manager at the Football Association of Wales, who served as the project lead for the UEFA Under-19 European Championships hosted across North Wales. With the tournament final between Germany and Spain unfolding as this episode is released, David and Ben reflect on what it took to deliver a world-class international event in venues and communities that were not traditionally used to this level of football.
Ben shares how the vision behind the tournament was to celebrate 150 years of the FAW by bringing the best of Europe to North Wales, the home where the association was founded, and how that decision created both meaningful opportunities and real operational challenges. He outlines the conversations with local clubs, the infrastructure improvements at grounds like Carnarvon, Denbigh and Bangor, and the journey of working alongside UEFA’s highly structured delivery model to meet their standards while adapting to the landscape of smaller communities and multi-venue logistics.
The discussion also covers the scale of the operation, the mix of staff and volunteers involved, how the tournament has been embraced by communities across Wales, and the powerful community moments that have emerged—from school children welcoming visiting teams to disability teams training internationally and clubs hosting their own European fixtures in the tournament’s wake. Ben reflects on what the experience has taught him about leadership, communication and working under intense pressure, and why he believes the legacy of this tournament goes far beyond the final match day.
For anyone interested in events, operations, and the structure of international football, this episode offers an honest and detailed perspective from the person at the heart of delivering a major UEFA tournament, showing how vision, collaboration and community buy-in can turn a complex project into a landmark moment for football in Wales.
 
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In this episode of The Business of Football Network, David Chimbaza reflects on his experience covering the UEFA Under-19 European Championships semi-final between Germany and Ukraine at the Racecourse Ground in Wales, offering a pitch-side perspective on what it was like to be embedded in the environment of an international youth tournament.
He explores why this tournament is so important for the development of future superstars, how it provides a platform for young players to grow their brand and shine on a European stage, and what it means for clubs and academies to have their talents showcased at this level. David also looks at the “hidden market” in football, where coaching roles, scouting opportunities and event careers are often not advertised but found through presence, networking and behaviour at events like this.
Alongside the matchday insight, David shares practical advice on how to think creatively about accessing opportunities in football, whether through volunteering, media accreditation or simply being in the right spaces when events happen. He talks about the importance of events as networking hubs, the value of learning directly from UEFA operations teams, and why youth tournaments are a powerful way to get into the industry, build experience and start to understand how the football business really works.
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With Germany winning the semi-final 2-1 ahead of a final against Spain, this episode also looks ahead to the tournament decider and to the next chapter of The Business of Football Network’s tournament coverage. It’s a blend of live reflection, career insight and behind-the-scenes learning, showing how even a youth tournament can open doors, shape careers and provide real opportunities for fans, coaches, scouts and aspiring professionals.

In this episode of The Business of Football Network, David Chimbaza takes a deep dive into the pillars of networking and why building real relationships in football is about far more than sending messages or collecting contacts. Drawing from his own experience developing an international network across football, media and business, he reflects on how his perspective has changed over time, what he has learned from connecting with leaders around the world, and why networking should be rooted in authenticity, curiosity and value rather than agenda. David explains why so many people misunderstand networking, arguing that the strongest connections are not built by asking what someone can do for you, but by first understanding who they are, what they care about and where you can genuinely add value. He explores the importance of listening properly, asking thoughtful questions, observing how successful people communicate, and creating space for meaningful conversation rather than shallow outreach.
BREAKING IN BOOK: https://amzn.eu/d/0ifGoYmo ACCESS OUR FREE FOOTBALL NETWORKING GUIDE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffMip0TFkgJOoo9ptbH9uZ67fTWvFai57QPBOy07J7D80J8A/viewform OUR SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-chimbaza-/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessoffootballpodcast/ Tik Tok : https://www.tiktok.com/
 
Throughout the episode, he shares lessons from his own podcasting journey, his experience of speaking with executives and industry leaders, and the role that curiosity has played in opening doors that qualifications alone never could. He also unpacks why creating something valuable is often the best way to make relationships happen naturally, whether that is a podcast, a piece of content, a business, or a personal brand. From volunteering and internships to content creation and portfolio-building, David argues that opportunity tends to follow action, not the other way around. This episode is a practical and honest reflection on how to network with purpose, communicate with confidence and build a reputation that makes people want to work with you before you ever have to ask.