Women’s Football Management MSc: Milla-Maj Majasaari on preparing for life beyond the pitch

• The PFA’s new Women’s Football Management MSc, launched in September 2026, is designed to prepare current and former players for leadership roles in the women’s game
• Finnish goalkeeper Milla-Maj Majasaari is combining the two-year programme with her career as a professional player in Denmark
• The programme gives players an opportunity to gain practical knowledge of the sporting, commercial and business sides of football

The PFA has launched its Women’s Football Management MSc, a new programme designed to prepare current and former players for leadership roles within the women’s game.

Among the first cohort of participants to begin the two-year programme is 27-year-old Finnish goalkeeper Milla-Maj Majasaari, who plays for A-Liga side Midtjylland (Denmark) and the Finland national team.

Majasaari described the programme as an opportunity to meet people from different areas of the football industry and gain new perspectives. 

"It's a great programme to connect with different people from the industry," Majasaari told FIFPRO.org. 

"On our first day, there were so many individuals coming from different sides. There were some coaches, agents, some entrepreneurs, different kind of people who just want to develop women's football and make something great together. Everyone has the same mindset and is inspired about the same thing."

The programme aims to give players an in-depth understanding of the different areas involved in running a modern women’s football club – from sporting operations and leadership to finance, commercial strategy and ownership.

It combines academic learning with practical examples from professionals working across the game, including investors, CEOs, COOs, CFOs, sporting directors, commercial managers and coaches.

Majasaari, who represented Finland in all age categories from U-16 and who has already played in 10 clubs in her career, including Crystal Palace, explained what drew her to the programme: "I went through the curriculum and every part of it sounded perfect for me," she said.

"It's all about how the industry works and how the clubs work behind the scenes. I really want to learn how the business side of football looks and what are the opportunities in women's football."

Emma Hayes, co-director of the programme, head coach of the United States women’s national team and former manager of Chelsea, highlighted the importance of developing expertise beyond the pitch.

“I have seen first-hand how decisions made off the pitch shape success on it," said Hayes. "Managing a modern women’s football club demands a deep understanding of both the sporting and business sides of the game. That is why this programme has been created, and why it is led by genuine experts in the field."

The programme is aimed at current and former players, professionals working within football clubs and sports organisations, and those already working in women’s football who want to broaden their knowledge of club management.

The majority of the programme is delivered online, with participants also meeting in person every other month for several days in Manchester or London.

The need for this type of expertise is growing alongside the women’s game. As investment increases and clubs develop more sophisticated sporting and commercial structures, leadership roles within women’s football are also becoming increasingly diverse and specialised.

For players, developing an understanding of what happens away from the pitch can provide an additional pathway within the game.

"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," said PFA CEO Maheta Molango.

The Women’s Football Management MSc is the PFA Business School’s first master’s degree dedicated exclusively to the modern workings of a women’s football club. Its modules cover areas including ownership structures, financial management, marketing and commercial operations.

For Majasaari, also vice chair of FPA Finland’s Board and NOC Athletes Commissions, the opportunity to explore those areas while continuing her playing career is valuable.

"I can see myself in the developing side, the building, the organisation of a team. I'm not so much into building the football team itself, I would leave that expertise for someone else, but the commercial side, the investment, managing these aspects, I'm really interested in."

The programme also reflects a wider ambition to create pathways for players to continue contributing to football after, and alongside, their playing careers.

"Our ambition is to establish this course as a gold-standard pathway for those seeking opportunities in women’s football and sport leadership," said Molango.

"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."

Majasaari agrees in her own words: "I don’t know if I have a ‘dream job’ in mind, but I’d like to use this programme to also share my expertise, because I think that as footballers, we gain a lot of knowledge from different leagues, clubs, countries.

"I do like inspiring people and talking to people, so being a public speaker to share my knowledge and help people is something I’d love to do."