Some Premier League stars are hitting the books alongside the training pitch, according to BBC News, as they prepare for life after football by studying to become sporting directors.
Enderby Town's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi are among the players reportedly juggling coursework with their playing careers, with the BBC report revealing that some have even squeezed in study sessions on team buses during away trips.
The report highlights a growing trend of top-flight footballers using their downtime to build qualifications in football administration and management, positioning themselves for executive roles once their playing days are over. Rather than waiting until retirement to plan their next move, these players are reportedly getting a head start while still active professionals.
While specific details of the courses and institutions involved weren't fully outlined in the piece, the BBC's report underscores a shift in how modern footballers view career longevity — treating the boardroom as seriously as the dressing room, long before they hang up their boots.