Program
We are currently working on the details of the full program. We will update it every day with exciting topics and outstanding speakers.
We reserve the right to change the program.
10:00-10:30: Opening and welcome speeches
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Official welcome
10:30-13:00: Key note presentations
Football is constantly changing and decision-makers in the sport are under immense pressure to perform. They must adapt to trends and be prepared for the changing governance environment.
The session will feature prominent experts in the sport who have maintained leadership roles and made an impact as decision-makers over the years
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Reinstatement of Hungarian Football between 2010-2023
How have infrastructural developments affected the performance of sport in the medium term? Why is it important to consider sports a strategic sector in a country, and what positive effects on the national economy can we already see thanks to developments and results in Hungary?
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The ever changing European club football landscape: a 15 years review
How has the world's most popular sport evolved over the last 15 years and how has the business side of football developed? What were the turning points that changed the way the sport is organised economically? How has the sport adapted to these global changes and why is it important for football to incorporate these new trends, which are developing at an enormous speed, into its daily operations in order to maintain its position as an industry leader?
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The New FIFA Football Agent Regulations
Following adoption by the FIFA Council in December 2022, the new FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR) came into force on 9 January 2023 - although there will be a transition period before the requirement to use only licenced football agents and the cap on agent fees come into force on 1 October 2023 - an important step in creating a fairer and more transparent football transfer system - according to FIFA. The new regulations introduce basic service standards for football agents and their clients, including a mandatory licencing regime, a ban on multiple representation to avoid conflicts of interest, and the introduction of a cap on agent fees to strengthen contractual stability, protect the integrity of the transfer system, and achieve greater financial transparency. You can also take a closer look at the key issues and changes in the new rules.
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Managing Youth Assets
How can football clubs create a pathway for youth players to progress from academy to first team? How can football clubs create a supportive and nurturing environment for young players? What are the most effective ways to manage the transition of youth players to the professional team? How can football clubs ensure that they are providing equal opportunities for all young players, regardless of their background?
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Recruitment strategy as part of a long term football philosophy
By having a well-defined recruitment strategy, a team can identify and attract talented players that fit their football philosophy, leading to better team cohesion, performance, and results. But what are the key elements of a successful recruitment strategy in football? How can recruitment strategies be integrated into a team's overall philosophy and playing style? What are the potential risks and benefits of implementing a recruitment strategy, and how can they be managed effectively? How important is player development and youth recruitment in building a successful team?
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Scouting & Recruitment in MLS
How is the MLS scouting system structured? What criteria do MLS clubs use to select players? How is the scouting of South American players conducted in MLS? What factors are considered when evaluating the technical ability and playing style of South American players? What success has MLS had in recruiting and integrating South American players? How does the integration of South American players affect the popularity and level of play in MLS?
12:30 - 13:00: Golden Age Roundtable 1
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Golden Age 1st half
It has been a long time since the Hungarian national team has been so successful, and Marco Rossi, the head coach of the national team, has played a big part in it. With the Italian coach, the team qualified for the 2021 European Championship, where they drew against Germany and France, and the Hungarian national team was promoted from Division C of the Nations League to Division A. Bulgaria also had its golden era when it finished fourth in the 1994 World Cup, the greatest success in Bulgarian football. Hristo Stoichkov was one of the most important members of this team and became top scorer at the 1994 World Cup with six goals. Also part of his country's golden era was Ioan Lupescu, who led Romania to the quarter-finals at the 1994 World Cup and then advanced from the Group of Death to the quarter-finals at the 2000 European Championship.
Moderator: Dr. Zsuzsa Csisztu
13:00-14:00: Lunch break
14:00-14:20: Scouting & Recruitment
Effective scouting strategies give teams a competitive edge and help develop young talent, which is crucial for long-term success. With the growing significance of data analytics, scouting and recruiting strategies are becoming more data-driven, making it an important topic in football development.
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Process Optimization & Data. Scouting & Talent development
What digital tools and technologies can be implemented to improve player performance, team tactics, and overall club operations? How can data analytics be leveraged to identify patterns, trends, and areas for improvement in player performance and team dynamics? What key performance indicators (KPIs) should be tracked and monitored to assess the effectiveness of digital initiatives and continuous improvement strategies? What strategies can be implemented to ensure the seamless integration of different digital systems and platforms within the club's existing infrastructure?
14:20-15:20: Scouting & Recruitment Round table
A strong scouting strategy involves identifying and evaluating players across leagues, regions and age groups and selecting those with the greatest potential for success.
Why has a well-defined and well-executed scouting strategy become essential to the success of football clubs amidst increased competition in football and the need to build strong teams that can consistently perform at the highest level?
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Scouting systems and strategies in various clubs around the world
A strong scouting strategy involves identifying and evaluating players across leagues, regions and age groups and selecting those with the greatest potential for success. Why has a well-defined and well-executed scouting strategy become essential to the success of football clubs amidst increased competition in football and the need to build strong teams that can consistently perform at the highest level?
Moderator: Tarkan Batgün, Founder and CE, Comparisonator
15:20-16:40: Road to Top Leagues
Playing in top football leagues is crucial for player and team development, as it provides opportunities to showcase talents to a global audience and attract lucrative contracts.
However, the path from Central and Eastern European clubs to the top leagues is challenging, and players must consider key factors to reach their full potential and succeed.
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How to sell players to the Top Five Leagues
When he started working at Ferencváros, the club was in a very difficult situation. Today, Fradi has qualified for the group stage of a European Cup competition four years in a row and has sold players to all of Europe's top five leagues over the past decade. How did Fradi become one of the best teams in Central Europe? How did you manage to sell players to the top leagues for much more money than they were bought for?
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Stay profitable by selling football players
They have been a stable team in the Croatian first division for fourteen years and have successfully sold their best players in several transfer windows. Lokomotiv have already sold a player to Spanish club Atlético Madrid for €3.5 million, while RB Salzburg paid €4 million for 17-year-old homegrown Roko Simic. How can they keep the team competitive? What criteria are used to sign players and how much value is placed on home-grown players?
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The bridge between Eastern-Central Europe and Top Leagues
What are the challenges and obstacles that hinder the development and integration of players from East Central Europe into the top leagues? What factors contribute to the success of East Central European players who have managed to establish themselves in the top leagues? What scouting and recruitment strategies do clubs and scouts use to identify and acquire talent from East Central Europe? How can football associations, clubs and organisations work together to improve the pathway and opportunities for players from East Central Europe into the top leagues? What lessons can be learned from the successful cases of players from East Central Europe who have made it into the top leagues and how can these lessons be applied to further bridge the gap between the regions?
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The implemented transfer strategies of DAC
DAC transfer strategy is characterised by the fact that they also try to recruit the best players from neighbouring countries. They have signed players from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Serbia, as well as from top leagues such as Serie A and the Bundesliga. In addition to all this, the sale of players is also a central element, András Schäfer, a Hungarian international, moved from DAC to the Bundesliga, but Celtic from Scotland also signed from Dunaszerdahely.
16:40-17:40: New Age Transfer Strategies Roundtable
New age transfer strategies are an important topic in football development as they offer innovative solutions to the challenges clubs face in the transfer market.
What are the benefits of using effective career development strategies in football clubs, and how can they contribute to maximizing transfer revenue and building sustainable models for long-term success?
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The New Age Transfer Strategies by European Clubs
New age transfer strategies are an important topic in football development as they offer innovative solutions to the challenges clubs face in the transfer market. What are the benefits of using effective career development strategies in football clubs, and how can they contribute to maximizing transfer revenue and building sustainable models for long-term success?
Moderator: Stuart Whittall, Head of Sales, TransferRoom
17:40-18:20: Golden Age Roundtable 2
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Golden Age 2nd half
It has been a long time since the Hungarian national team has been so successful, and Marco Rossi, the head coach of the national team, has played a big part in it. With the Italian coach, the team qualified for the 2021 European Championship, where they drew against Germany and France, and the Hungarian national team was promoted from Division C of the Nations League to Division A. Bulgaria also had its golden era when it finished fourth in the 1994 World Cup, the greatest success in Bulgarian football. Hristo Stoichkov was one of the most important members of this team and became top scorer at the 1994 World Cup with six goals. Also part of his country's golden era was Ioan Lupescu, who led Romania to the quarter-finals at the 1994 World Cup and then advanced from the Group of Death to the quarter-finals at the 2000 European Championship.
Moderator: Dr. Zsuzsa Csisztu
18:30-21:00: Football Forum Business Hall
12:00-13:00: Trends in football
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The rise of UEC
In the shadow of the battle of the giants between the Super League and the Champions League, the lobby of the smaller clubs, perhaps never so desperately in need of a voice in the maze of football diplomacy. But how to organise the representation of the interests of thousands of smaller clubs? What is the organisational background of the UEC and how and with which instruments can it take up the gauntlet in the battle for interests?
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Is #Bottom49 football (competitive) viable post 2024?
Professional sports organisations are traditionally under pressure to deliver sporting results, which firmly places the focus on the short term. Just as it takes time to deliver a polished performance and a challenging game on the pitch, it also takes time to build the backbone of a club. However, it makes a difference which path we take for ourselves. Just as winning games requires a coherent, cohesive strategy, so too does the business side have to be right and the backdrop has to be such that the club can execute it perfectly - and within a reasonable, sensible timeframe.
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Artificial Intelligence in Performance Recognition
Artificial Intelligence is entering our lives more and more, day by day. How about football? Yes it has arrived already. Is it an enemy to human beings or mankind can really make friends from A.I. Tarkan will explain the words like "Machine Learning" and what it does inside the football data. How quickly player performances can be recognised? How does A.I. helps high level decision makers to make quick and correct decisions?
13:00-14:00: Lunch break
14:00-14:30: Carreer Interview
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Fireside chat
How has the role of a player agent evolved over the past four decades? In what ways have new technologies and data analytics impacted the work of player agents? How has globalization affected the player agent industry and the way agents scout and recruit talent? What challenges do player agents face in today's football landscape compared to decades past?
14:30-15:30: Revolution of Football Data Roundtable
Football has entered a new era where data is crucial for success. Teams can now make smarter decisions in player recruitment, game strategies, and performance analysis by leveraging cutting-edge data analytics.
The use of data is no longer an option, but a necessity for any team looking to gain a competitive edge and achieve greatness in the modern game.
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The Revolution of data in football
The world of football has entered a new era, one where data reigns supreme. Thanks to the football data revolution, teams can now make smarter decisions when it comes to player recruitment, game strategies, and performance analysis, all of which are essential to success in today's highly competitive environment. By leveraging cutting-edge data analytics, teams can unearth hidden talents, fine-tune their game plans, and achieve superior performance on the field. Simply put, the use of data is no longer an option, but a necessity for any team looking to gain a competitive edge and achieve greatness in the modern game.
Moderator: Didem Dilmen, Communications director, Comparisonator
15:30-15:50: Role of National Associations
National football associations are crucial in the development of football as they provide the framework for organising leagues, national teams, and grassroots football.
Without their support, football development would not be possible. As they set out on the journey towards success, what obstacles must they navigate and what factors will pose the greatest challenge, both now and in the years to come?
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Development in coach education: Turkish Football Federation Sample
The role of national associations in the development of football is crucial, as they provide the framework for the development of football in their respective countries. They are responsible for organising leagues, national teams and grassroots football, all of which are essential components of football development. National associations also play an important role in regulating football and ensuring that the sport is played in a fair and safe manner. Without their support and commitment, the development of football would not be possible, making it an important and central issue in the football world. As they set out on the journey towards success, what obstacles must they navigate and what factors will pose the greatest challenge, both now and in the years to come?
15:50-16:30: Coaching Development
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The UEFA Coaching Program - A journey to raise the bar
The UEFA coaching programme offers each UEFA member association continuous and bespoke support, designed to meet their specific needs. In addition to this tailor-made assistance, UEFA encourages the exchange of ideas and knowledge, and organises regular conferences, workshops and programmes for various target groups with the overall aim of improving European coaching.
16:30-16:50: Envisaging Coaches
Football is constantly evolving, and coaches need to keep pace with the latest trends, innovations, and best practices.
Envisaging coaches of the future involves anticipating the skills, knowledge, and competencies that will be required in the next generation of football coaches, and developing strategies to prepare them accordingly.
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The Winning Mentality
A winning mentality plays a crucial role in successful teams and players. This attitude can lead to motivation, confidence and continuous improvement that will enable you to achieve results and perform at your best on the pitch. What exercises and training can help improve mental stamina? What mental strategies can you use to deal with stress and pressure? How can you become mentally stronger from failures?
16:50-17:10: Carrier building in football
Career development is crucial for the progress of football and involves nurturing talent at all levels of the game.
It requires hard work, dedication and passion.How can effective programmes assist individuals in navigating the complexities of the football industry and achieving their goals?
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The importance of leadership in talent nurturing
A strategy leader can play an important role in the career development of footballers. His role is to develop long-term plans and strategies for the improvement and success of the team, while also playing an important role in managing the career of the players. Key responsibilities may include talent nurturing, career planning and mentoring, and working with managers and agents.
18:00-21:00: Football Forum Business Hall
12:00-13:00: Management in Youth Football Round table
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Operation and Different Targets of Regional Academies
Youth football is the foundation for football development, and the way it is managed can have a significant impact on the development of young players. A well-managed youth football programme can help identify and develop talented young players, ultimately benefiting the sport at all levels. Why are the issues of player welfare, protection, and ethics particularly important in youth football?
Moderator: Sándor Sáfár
13:00-14:00: Lunch break
14:00-15:20: Management in Youth Football
Effective management is critical for the success of youth football programs.
Ultimately, a well-managed youth football program can benefit the sport at all levels. Why are the issues of player welfare, protection, and ethics particularly important in youth football?
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How Italy manages its talent pool? What is the role of the FIGC to develop young talents?
How attractive is football still among young people in Italy? How can they increase the number of players? How much attention is paid to the Italian diaspora? How do they ensure quality in talent management?
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Player development in La Liga vs. Premier League
What are the opportunities for young players to break into the first team in La Liga and the Premier League? Are there significant differences in terms of opportunities and pathways for young talent? How do the scouting and recruitment strategies of La Liga and the Premier League clubs differ, and how does it affect player development? What is the role of experienced players and mentors in nurturing young talent in La Liga and the Premier League? What are some notable success stories of player development in La Liga and the Premier League, and what factors contributed to their development?
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Unique cooperation between Debreceni VSC and Villarreal CF
In October 2022, DVSC signed a professional cooperation agreement with an internationally recognised football club, namely the Spanish Villarreal CF. The agreement between the two parties runs for three years and provides for three professionals from Villarreal to offer methodological assistance and technical support to the coaches of the DVSC Football Academy in their work in Pallag for at least nine months a year. This cooperation can open up new perspectives for youth education in Debrecen.
15:20-15:50: Carreer Interview
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The journey of Ádám Szalai
He's one of Hungary's best-known footballers, having played almost 300 Bundesliga games for Mainz, Hoffenheim, Schalke, Hannover and Stuttgart, and spent his early career in the Real Madrid reserves. Before retiring from the Hungarian national team, he was captain and wore the national team jersey 86 times. He has been an important part of Hungary's great successes in recent years. He led the national team in two European Championships, scoring two goals and assisting one at these tournaments. As captain, he was recognised and admired by all and was a role model for his young teammates.
15:50-16:30: National Identity in Football Roundtable
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The identity of football
Topolya is located in central Vojvodina, Serbia, 44 km from the Hungarian border. The football academy of Topolya was inaugurated in September 2018 and built with government support from Hungary. The academy there plays a community-building and identity-forming role for Hungarians. The academy offers young Hungarians from across the border the opportunity to develop their skills and talents, strengthening the talent base of Hungarian football. The academy supports the preservation of Hungarian culture, language and traditions among young players, strengthening Hungarian identity and sense of belonging.
16:30-17:30: SkillCorner: A new dimension in football analytics
David Niehues and David Balda from SkillCorner will share how metrics derived from tracking data can support scouting and recruitment decisions for teams around the world
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Metrics derived from tracking data
