Shorts: Arsene Wenger, Phil Foden, Partick Thistle

Arsene Wenger has been appointed as the Course Director of the PFA Business School, a new undergraduate degree programme launched by the Professional Footballers’ Association.

In his new role, the former Arsenal manager will oversee the PFA’s new Football and Business Management BA degree, which is the first course of its kind to br provided by the PFA Business School.

All PFA members will be eligible to take part in the three-year course, which is delivered in partnership with the University of Portsmouth, and is intended to fit within the tight schedules of professional footballers.

The degree will offer participants the chance to study for UEFA B Coaching licenses, the FA’s Talent ID & Scouting Certificate, and the FIFA Agent License.

Students will also be able to take modules in topics such as sport finance, law, governance and performance analysis.

Eight football clubs have so far signed up foe the programme, including Arsenal, Chelsea, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Watford, Wolves and West Ham United.

Footballers enrolled in the programme include former Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan, former Manchester United defender Phil Jones, England Lioness Lucy Staniforth and Liverpool and Real Madrid Steve McManaman.

PFA CEO Maheta Molango said, “The new PFA Business School has already been a huge success and has shown the appetite among players at all levels to learn and to be ready to go on to new careers and roles within the game.

“The new degree programme is a natural next step to make sure we reach even more members.

“Personal development is a real focus for the PFA and for me personally. We have a key role to play in providing players with the practical tools to succeed and to flourish both professionally and personally.”

McDonald’s Fun Football has announced England and Manchester City footballer Phil Foden as its latest ambassador.

Foden joins fellow England stars Jude Bellingham, Beth Mead and Lauren James, and Liverpool captain, Virgil van Dijk, as a long-term ambassador for the programme, which provides children with free football coaching all over the UK.

To kick off the collaboration, Foden surprised children with a Fun Football session in Manchester.

McDonalds Fun Football ambassador, Phil Foden, commented, “Coming to a session like this brings back a lot of memories. It is great to see kids happy and playing the game we all grew up loving. I was obsessed and I had great memories out there playing with my mates. I’m buzzing to be a part of a programme like this.

“McDonald’s is offering sessions run by qualified coaches to thousands of kids, all for free – that is huge. I wish I had this when I was younger, having fun and playing football with your mates is what it’s all about! Hopefully we can inspire even more kids to start playing this summer as we look to go all the way.”

Partick Thistle FC has announced a new partnership with ticketing provider Fanbase.

The partnership has been unveiled ahead of the SPFL football club’s launch of its 2024/25 season tickets release.

Fanbase will offer Partick Thistle fans a ‘streamlined experience across mobile, desktop and tablet devices where you will be able to purchase and store tickets in your Fanbase wallet or directly on your mobile device, ensuring quick and easy access on match days.’

Partick Thistle CEO, Chris Ross, said, “Everyone at the club is thrilled with this new partnership and excited by the number of benefits it will bring to Thistle supporters. Fanbase have a proven track record in Scottish football ticketing and their technology-led approach ensures supporters can access tickets with ease on a platform they can rely on, one many fans will already be familiar with.

“We’re excited by the potential of working with Fanbase and have real confidence that both the club and Fanbase will thrive thanks to this partnership in the season ahead.”

EFL League One football club Lincoln City has extended its partnership with RSP Lincoln Ltd.

Plastering contractors RSP Lincoln Ltd become a bronze partner to the Imps and will be occupying one of the club’s luxurious private boxes throughout the 24/25 season. 

Lee Stanney, RSP Lincoln’s Managing Director, said, “We are pleased to be renewing our bronze partnership with Lincoln City along with our executive box for another season. If the Imps can look to replicate the form from the end of last season, there should be plenty to be optimistic about heading into the 24/25 campaign.”

Jake Longworth, City’s, Head of Commercial, added, “It was a pleasure working with the team at RSP Lincoln during their first year on board and we’re pleased to further strengthen our partnership with them.”