News

The PFA Business School has appointed U.S. Women’s National Team manager Emma Hayes OBE as Course Director of its new Women’s Football Management MSc - a programme designed to prepare current and former players to transition into leadership roles within the women’s game.

Launching in September 2026, the programme is the PFA Business School’s first master’s degree dedicated exclusively to the modern day workings of a women’s football club. One of the only degrees at this level with this focus, the programme spans industry-relevant modules covering ownership structures and financial management, as well as marketing and commercial operations.

Emma Hayes will provide expert oversight of the programme alongside fellow Course Director Rebecca Caplehorn, Chief Football Officer at the Premier League, supported by a knowledgeable faculty of lecturers with first-hand experience at senior levels within women’s sport, including Casey Stoney MBE, Head Coach of the Canadian Women’s National Team.

Emma Hayes OBE said:

“I’m really pleased to be joining the PFA Business School as Course Director and to play a part in preparing the next generation of leaders in the women’s game.

“I’ve worked with lots of players over the years whose talent on the pitch has been matched by their ambition and intelligence off it.

“But it’s not enough to tell players they are capable, we all know they are. We have to give them real opportunities to learn and develop those skills.

“Many of these skills are transferable from sport, but some have to be developed more deliberately, with proper training from experts working in these roles every day. That’s the gap this course fills and why I’m really proud to be part of its excellent faculty.

“For players and former players to turn their experiences into an accredited master’s degree is a really positive step, and I think the women’s game will be stronger for it.”

Maheta Molango, PFA CEO, said:

“We’re honoured to have a leader of Emma’s calibre join our PFA Business School faculty. As well as being one of the world’s most respected and successful football managers, she knows how to develop people and build high-performance teams.

“There are incredible professional careers emerging across women’s football, but players can find it difficult to access the experience and skills they need away from the pitch to prepare for those opportunities.

“Our ambition is to establish this course as a gold-standard pathway for those seeking opportunities in women’s football and sport leadership. I’m glad that football is starting to recognise the value players can bring to these roles, because for too long many have been pigeonholed.

“This generation of players, in particular, has the potential to become outstanding leaders, and we hope this course helps them take that next step.”

More than 400 students are currently enrolled across the PFA Business School, and over two-thirds are active professional players. Aston Villa’s Lucy Staniforth is among a number of WSL players to have studied with the school, graduating last year with a postgraduate certificate in football psychology and leadership.

Enrolment for the Women’s Football Management MSc is now open, and teaching will begin in September 2026.

Find out more about the course at the PFA Business School: Click here