J.LEAGUE launches programme in cooperation with The UEFA Academy 　“J.LEAGUE Sporting Director Programme partnered with The UEFA Academy” Starting in March

J.LEAGUE, today, announced the launch of “J.LEAGUE Sporting Director Programme partnered with The UEFA Academy” in cooperation with the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and its Academy. This programme which will start in March is aimed at J.LEAGUE club sporting directors and staff, as well as individuals interested in the management and development of professional football clubs.

This programme aims to enable Japanese sporting directors to incorporate world-class football management skills as part of their DNA, thereby achieving and succeeding at a higher level in building and executing mid-to-long-term football strategies within their clubs. This programme, originally developed jointly by J.LEAGUE and The UEFA Academy- the educational unit of UEFA- provides a systematic opportunity to learn the practical knowledge, skills, strategic insight, and leadership elements necessary for this purpose.

This programme brings in active sporting directors from European clubs and UEFA experts as lecturers, delivering insights cultivated at the forefront of European club operations within Japan. This will promote the advancement of football strategy and mid-to-long-term strengthening at each club, while also contributing to the overall development of J.LEAGUE and enhancing its international competitiveness.

The programme consists of five sessions totaling 9 days/60 hours. It combines a three-day intensive face-to-face session in Japan with lecturers from Europe, and online sessions connected to Europe. Subjects include: How to build a Football Strategy, the Role of sporting director, Top level football trends in UEFA Competitions, How to develop Young Talents and create Value?, Traditional vs Multi-Club Ownership Landscape and Evolution of Football and New Technology.

Regarding the programme, Mr. Yoshikazu Nonomura, Chairman of J.LEAGUE, commented as follows:

“In the global football business, the quality of organisational development and decision-making within the club itself, which underpins performance on the pitch, has become more crucial than ever. At the heart of this lies the role of Sporting Director, a strategic position that has significantly evolved, becoming more sophisticated and specialised through practice at top clubs, particularly in Europe.”

“This programme, organised in cooperation with The UEFA Academy, is designed as a direct learning platform within Japan. It offers participants direct access to the cutting-edge knowledge and thinking required to excel as a Sporting Director. Crucially, it focuses on how this expertise can be applied within the context of J.LEAGUE clubs and how to compete effectively in the global football marketplace. Beyond merely acquiring knowledge and skills, we place great importance on fostering deep connections between participants and lecturers – who are themselves active sporting directors – thereby building valuable international networks.”

“J.LEAGUE recognises that elevating the standards of not only players but also coaches and sporting directors is a vital theme. Through this programme, we expect sporting directors to cultivate the ability to lead their respective clubs to new heights, with this capability ultimately enhancing the appeal and competitiveness of the league as a whole.”

Entries for this programme will be accepted on the dedicated website until early March.