Focus Football Podcast

Episode #15: Javier Talavero

Excited to share that Javier is our next guest on the Focus Football Podcast, Episode 15! 🎙️ Javier, a sponsorship manager at Barcelona F.C., has carved a unique path in sports sponsorship. From his time in China to pivotal roles at YouFirst and Cazoo, he's mastered the art of bridging brands and rights holders within sponsorships. Tune in to hear Javier's journey and insights into the world of sports!

Episode #14: Hugo Scheckter

This episode explores the relatively new but crucially important sub-field within modern football, “Player Care” through the career of one of the leading voices and practitioners within the field, Hugo Scheckter. Having spent over a decade with top-flight football clubs across North America and England, Hugo explains what player care is, the challenges faced by professional footballers away from the football pitch and why football clubs are now fully invested in this holistic oversight approach to player wellbeing. Hugo is the founder and managing director of the Player Care Group, a leading consultancy firm dedicated to player care, team operations and player wellbeing.

Episode #13: Jack Sharp

From Part-Time Community Football Coach to Head of Football & Performance, he's seen it all. Jack spent over 10 years working for MK Dons F.C. He started off with the Sports and Education trust of the club, working there for 7 years climbing the ranks and ultimately shifting to the clubs footballing side. There he spent over 3 years in the roles of Football Development Manager, MK Dons Women General Manager and spending his last year as the Head of Football & Performance. His time came up when he decided to start his own company within sports, the Sports Wide Group. For the past year, Jack has been helping rights holders, agencies, educational institutions by consulting them.

Episode #12: Robert Gevertz

In this episode we dive into the world of sports, digital, and commercial with Robert, a true pioneer with over 15 years of experience. In this captivating conversation, we explore his journey through the industry, rubbing shoulders with giants like Sky Sports, talkSPORT, The City Football Group, the Sports Industry Group, and CSM. Discover the story behind Robert's rise to prominence and his role as the driving force behind his own digital sports consultancy, First Five Yards. Tune in to learn how he transforms mere collaborations into thriving partnerships, helping clubs, agencies, and media companies realize their full commercial potential.

In Focus: FIFA Men's World Cup 2022

In this special episode of Focus Football, we sit down with three remarkable industry professionals at different stages of their careers: Raquel Pasos, Louis Gasparini, and Michael Malek, all of whom played pivotal roles during the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in Qatar. Each of our guests has a unique journey that led them to the World Cup, and in this episode, we delve into their backgrounds, their incredible experiences, and the profound significance of their contributions to the world's grandest sporting spectacle. Raquel Pasos served as an integral member of the Adidas World Cup team, leading the DTC work stream and providing invaluable support to regional teams in executing the 2022 FIFA World Cup Global strategy in Latin America. Louis Gasparini, on the other hand, assumed the role of Team Liaison Officer for the Senegalese National Team, acting as the vital link between the team and FIFA, ensuring a seamless collaboration. Meanwhile, Michel Malek took on a multifaceted role, offering vital assistance to B2B clients with Hayya, resolving issues between support and client managers, managing FIFA client communications, overseeing the Hayya process, and offering invaluable support to various entities with Hayya-related queries. Tune in as we uncover their remarkable journeys and insights from their World Cup experiences, gaining a deeper understanding of what it truly meant to be part of the world's most monumental sporting event.