VSI Sporting Director’s Podcast

An introduction to the VSI Sporting Director’s podcast

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Episodes

Monday Oct 27, 2025

Performance coach Chris Martin is shaping the performance environment in sport. Theming is his thing, he devises emotionally engaging themes that the performance staff then integrate into their preparation. 
Chris has worked with the  Argentinian Pumas in world rugby, golf and has now caught the eye of some of football’s brightest coaches in the U.K. 
 
Lear more about VSI here www.vsiee.com 

Wednesday Sep 17, 2025

We’re back with Season 2 of the VSI Sporting Directors' Podcast delivered in a new and immersive format.
This season, we move beyond conversation into real-world scenarios shaping football and sport. Each episode will tackle live issues that today’s leaders are navigating; tested, debated, and challenged from multiple perspectives.
Expect competitive debate, contrasting opinions, and insights that expose the raw realities of leadership in sport.
Unfiltered. Immersive. Real.

Tuesday Jul 09, 2024

The VSI pod was joined by Lincoln City's CEO Liam Sculley and Chief Growth and Innovation Officer, Jason Futers.  
 
In an era when clubs across the football pyramid are challenged to find and sustain revenue streams, The Red Imps join just Barcelona and Eintracht Frankfurt in creating a new role focussed on innovation and growth.
 
Liam and Jason explain how Lincoln City work alongside their community along with their aspirations to be a sustainable and successful football club
 
Delegates on VSI executive education programmes have been from world leading sports organisations, such as The Premier League, The RFU, Premiership Rugby, The ECB, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool FC, Inter Miami FC, MLS, FIFA, and many more global sporting organisations. 
 
As professional sport is moving into a new era of financial sustainability and governance around the globe, there has never been a greater time to develop strategic and operational leaders fit for purpose int he modern world. 
 
VSI Executive Education is behind the world’s first MSc in Sports Directorship and MBA of a Sports Organisation programmes. Pioneering tomorrow's leaders in sport.For more information, visit www.vsiee.com

Thursday Apr 25, 2024

Malky Mackay's in depth conversation with former Sky Sports News front-man, James Cooper, should be on the 'must listen' list of every football club owner across the home nations. 
Scottish Football Association former Technical Director, Premier League and SPL manager takes a compelling deep dive into all things leadership and offers a fascinating insight on how to structure the football side of a modern club.
Delegates on VSI executive education programmes have come from world leading sports organisations, such as The Premier League, The RFU, Premiership Rugby, The ECB, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool FC, Inter Miami FC, MLS, FIFA, and many more global sporting organisations.
As professional sport is moving into a new era of financial sustainability and governance around the globe, there has never been a greater time to develop strategic and operational leaders fit for purpose int he modern world. VSI Executive Education is behind the world’s first MSc in Sports Directorship and MBA of a Sports Organisation programmes. Pioneering tomorrow's leaders in sport.

Wednesday Mar 27, 2024

Saudi Arabia's mind numbing, multi million dollar investment in football has sent shockwaves through the game.
 
VSI Executive Education graduate Mark Allen reveals just what it is like to work in the oil rich desert kingdom alongside Steve Gerrard.
 
Allen is Director of Football Development at El Ettifaq, where the Liverpool and England legend is attempting to resurrect a managerial that began so successfully at Glasgow Rangers.
 
James Cooper asks the difficult questions and explores Allen’s rise from Manchester City’s all conquering Academy Director to securing some of the most exciting and challenging jobs in the game. 
 
A truly compelling story……..told in his own words!
 
Delegates on VSI executive education programmes have come from world leading sports organisations, such as The Premier League, The RFU, Premiership Rugby, The ECB, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool FC, Inter Miami FC, MLS, FIFA, and many more global sporting organisations.
 
As professional sport is moving into a new era of financial sustainability and governance around the globe, there has never been a greater time to develop strategic and operational leaders fit for purpose int he modern world. VSI Executive Education is behind the world’s first MSc in Sports Directorship and MBA of a Sports Organisation programmes. Pioneering tomorrow's leaders in sport.

Tuesday Mar 05, 2024

Republic of Ireland World Cup legend and Liverpool favourite, Jason McAteer, was long loved as the dressing room comic and so called 'Spice boy'!
Now as he transitions from a post playing career in the media to studying on VSI’s acclaimed MSc in Sports Directorship, he reveals that his famous alter-ego, 'Trigger', was all a front, a cleverly contrived coping mechanism for managing dressing-room stress.
This is deep dive into the world of one of football most popular figures. He reveals himself to be smart, insightful and highly innovative.
 
Delegates on VSI executive education programmes have come from world leading sports organisations, such as The Premier League, The RFU, Premiership Rugby, The ECB, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool FC, Inter Miami FC, MLS, FIFA, and many more global sporting organisations.
 
As professional sport is moving into a new era of financial sustainability and governance around the globe, there has never been a greater time to develop strategic and operational leaders fit for purpose int he modern world. VSI Executive Education is behind the world’s first MSc in Sports Directorship and MBA of a Sports Organisation programmes. Pioneering tomorrow's leaders in sport.

Wednesday Jan 24, 2024


Ed Sulley is the Director of Customer Solutions at Hudl.
Leading a dynamic, multi-cultural, global and highly experienced professional consulting team for one of the leading sport technology companies in the world.
Specialising in helping Elite sports teams get the most out of high performance culture, processes, workflows and people across Recruitment, Team Performance and Human Performance. Helping CEO’s, Sporting Directors, Heads of Coaching, Recruitment, Sports Science, Analysis and Agents across men’s, women’s and youth Elite sports organisations worldwide.
 
Delegates on VSI executive education programmes have come from world leading sports organisations, such as The Premier League, The RFU, Premiership Rugby, The ECB, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool FC, Inter Miami FC, MLS, FIFA, and many more global sporting organisations.
As professional sport is moving into a new era of financial sustainability and governance around the globe, there has never been a greater time to develop strategic and operational leaders fit for purpose int he modern world.
VSI Executive Education is behind the world’s first MSc in Sports Directorship and MBA of a Sports Organisation programmes. Pioneering tomorrow's leaders in sport.

Wednesday Jan 10, 2024


Ben Peppi is Head of Sport Services at JMW. Within his role, Ben runs Barn Door UK, JMW’s award-winning online platform connecting over 200 athletes and investors, with new business (investment) and active commercial opportunities.
Ben’s work includes:
Advising clients and leading on consultancy projects having built out a commercial advisory division to complement the legal team and enhance the firm’s sports offering
Advising on the inception, fundraising process and commercial growth strategy for investment companies, consumer facing challenger brands and early stage businesses
Sourcing, reviewing and evaluating all new investment and commercial opportunities that sit on the Barn Door platform in sectors including: sports technology and health technology
Brokering and negotiating commercial deals with athletes, brands and sports rights holders
Ben talks to James Cooper about the process for club acquisition and investment and the future landscape for UK clubs given the interest from oversee investors 
Delegates on VSI executive education programmes have come from world leading sports organisations, such as The Premier League, The RFU, Premiership Rugby, The ECB, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool FC, Inter Miami FC, MLS, FIFA, and many more global sporting organisations.
As professional sport is moving into a new era of financial sustainability and governance around the globe, there has never been a greater time to develop strategic and operational leaders fit for purpose int he modern world.
VSI Executive Education is behind the world’s first MSc in Sports Directorship and MBA of a Sports Organisation programmes. Pioneering tomorrow's leaders in sport.

Thursday Dec 28, 2023


Stuart Webber is about to take on the challenge of his life climbing Mount Everest 
But before he does this he sits down with VSI to discuss his journey from Wrexham Fc to Sporting director at Norwich FC with a few stops along the way at QPR, Wolves & Huddersfield whilst not forgetting his role at Liverpool as head of recruitment working alongside Rafa Benitez and Kenny Dalglish 
Not afraid to air his opinion on the contemporary issues in the game Stuart shares his journey and and thoughts for where the game is going with host James Cooper
Delegates on VSI executive education programmes have come from world leading sports organisations, such as The Premier League, The RFU, Premiership Rugby, The ECB, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool FC, Inter Miami FC, MLS, FIFA, and many more global sporting organisations.
As professional sport is moving into a new era of financial sustainability and governance around the globe, there has never been a greater time to develop strategic and operational leaders fit for purpose int he modern world.
VSI Executive Education is behind the world’s first MSc in Sports Directorship and MBA of a Sports Organisation programmes. Pioneering tomorrow's leaders in sport.

Wednesday Dec 13, 2023

As the world's greatest player Lionel Messi takes America by storm, by signing for Inter Miami in the MLS, Chris Henderson, Sporting Director for Inter Miami FC talks to VSI.
James Cooper and Chris dive deep on everything Inter Miami past, present and future including:🌟The Beckham Effect🐐 Leo Messi💼 Parting Company with Phil Neville
It's not only Premier League clubs that have sporting directors, in fact there is an argument that the lower down the football pyramid you go, the greater the need for a sporting director with a clear remit to oversee the entire football function whilst understanding the business of football.
Delegates on VSI executive education programmes have been from world leading sports organisations, such as The Premier League, The RFU, Premiership Rugby, The ECB, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool FC, Inter Miami FC, MLS, FIFA, and many more global sporting organisations. 
As professional sport is moving into a new era of financial sustainability and governance around the globe, there has never been a greater time to develop strategic and operational leaders fit for purpose int he modern world. 
VSI Executive Education is behind the world’s first MSc in Sports Directorship and MBA of a Sports Organisation programmes. Pioneering tomorrow's leaders in sport.For more information, visit www.vsiee.com

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