Edinburgh Napier University

Well-known faces from the world of football have gathered to celebrate completing Edinburgh Napier University’s Applied Football Management programme.

The Business School course was designed to help professionals prepare for a career after playing, whether it be as a manager, coach, Academy Director, Director of Football or even a role outside the game.

Three cohorts of students have now completed the programme, and, with the pandemic having prevented earlier in-person celebrations, a joint event was organised with PFA Scotland to allow them to mark their achievement at the Rivers Suite on the Craiglockhart campus.

Livingston assistant manager Marvin Bartley, Greenock Morton boss Dougie Imrie, Forfar manager Gary Irvine, Joelle Murray (Hibs), Christophe Berra (Raith Rovers) and Liam Fontaine (Dundee) were among those who took part in the celebration and received a certificate of achievement.

The course, funded by PFA Scotland and Scottish Union Learning, consists of three modules: The Transition to Management, Managing the Organisation and Managing Others.

Sessions run weekly from August to March, but while there is a foundation of business theory, the main focus is on allowing participants to apply the concepts to their own experience and situation.

Students based as far afield as Dingwall and Annan have taken part in the virtual sessions, and coursework can involve case studies based on research on a single club and its surrounding area, or a player-related issue, with the participants producing written reports and making presentations to their peers. Those who pass are awarded 60 credits at Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level nine.

Business School lecturer and course leader Dr Stephen Robertson said: "I'm delighted to finally get some of the participants together for a celebration. Everyone has worked hard to pass the course so it is right that we can mark it in this way. The partnership between PFA Scotland, Scottish Union Learning and Edinburgh Napier is a great example of collaborative workplace learning for players who are trying to figure out what comes next in their career."

Christophe Berra said: “I’m glad I done it – and it is always something I wanted to do. I’ve been very fortunate to have a good career in football but when I finish I won’t be standing still. I need to keep myself active, I want to do other things whether that be in football or on the business side of things. I think this course will stand me in good stead moving forward.”