Strategy
Success isn’t just about trophies, it’s about building a club that lasts. The right people, smart recruitment, and a strong culture are key. Long-term success requires balancing ambition with financial stability. Clubs that manage wages and transfers wisely stay competitive without risking their future. With the right strategy and vision, a club can grow sustainably and remain at the top for years to come.
What strategies does your club use to attract, develop, and retain top talent while staying financially strong?
Sustainability
Sustainable success in football starts with financial discipline.By aligning wages, transfers, and operational costs with long-term objectives, clubs can remain competitive without financial risk. Strategic investments in player development, scouting, and fan engagement must be balanced with revenue growth. A clear financial roadmap ensures that short-term decisions don’t jeopardize long-term ambitions.
How does your club ensure financial stability while remaining competitive both short and long term?
Contextualization
Every football club requires a tailored approach to success.Balancing sporting performance with financial sustainability means setting clear, measurable goals that align with the club’s ambitions and resources. By tracking key metrics—such as squad development, revenue streams, and transfer strategies, clubs can make informed decisions that drive both short-term competitiveness and long-term stability.
How do you balance sporting ambitions with financial constraints when setting targets for the club?
Allsvenskan's top clubs show increasing polarization between financially strong and struggling teams. Using Hammer Davidsen’s model, clubs are categorized into Results Factory (immediate success), Talent Development (player sales-driven), and Competency-Based (long-term growth), with many adopting hybrid models. Malmö leads in financial strength and strategic clarity, while others, like Djurgården and Elfsborg, show stability. AIK faces significant challenges in long-term sustainability.
AIK faces a strategic dilemma between financial stability and sporting ambition. CEO Fredrik Söderberg prioritizes cost control and reducing the club’s deficit, while Sporting Director Thomas Berntsen pushes for investments in a competitive squad to drive European success. Their differing approaches create financial and operational tensions, risking AIK’s long-term sustainability.
Achieving sustained success, both on and off the field, depends on a deep understanding of the economic factors at play, particularly the relationship between financial investments, such as personnel costs, and sporting outcomes. This article explores the intricate economic links between spending and performance, drawing on insights from Mads Davidsen and Dan Hammer's book "How Hard Can It Be?" as well as academic research. We will also discuss the risks associated with overinvestment, particularly for Polish football clubs, and the strategic decisions that can ensure long-term stability and success.
In the football world, individual match results often create big headlines and heated discussions. But just as stock prices do not always reflect a company's true value, the result of a single match does not tell the whole story of a football team. To achieve long-term success, both on and off the field, football clubs need to focus on long-term strategy rather than short-term results. Let’s explore this further with insights from both football and business.
European competitions provide a prestigious stage for football clubs, but their long-term impact depends on how they are approached. Clubs that integrate European football into a broader strategy can leverage its financial and branding benefits to grow sustainably. However, for others, short-term thinking and financial risks can turn European participation into a pitfall rather than an opportunity.
Rosenborg BK dominated Norwegian football between 1992 and 2004 as a "results factory" – a club with a clear playing model, financial strength, and strategic continuity. However, from the 2010s onward, the club lost its dominance due to coaching instability, a lack of long-term strategy, and declining European revenues. Meanwhile, Malmö FF has become Sweden's only true results factory, leveraging consistent Champions League earnings. Djurgården, Hammarby, and AIK still lack the financial stability and strategic direction needed to challenge Malmö, which remains in a league of its own unless a major shift occurs.