How to reach the very top in football

Behind every winning team in modern football there is an outstanding team of off-pitch football industry professionals who define a club's transfer strategy and hold the keys to their success.

And now, after the launch of StaffRoom, football's only digital network for top off-pitch talent, five leading football industry professionals in pivotal roles will reveal secrets to their success, how they reached the top and how StaffRoom can help the next generation follow their path, in our new, five-part content series. 

Introducing The Team Behind The Team, presented by The Athletic's leading football journalist David Ornstein.

In the first episode, we get exclusive insights from the Academy Director who has had a key role in Brighton & Hove Albion's development of one of the Premier League's best academies: Ian Buckman. 

Buckman has been at Brighton & Hove Albion for nearly 12 years. Driving the mini-bus and bringing the balls and bibs in his early days, he has worked his way up from Lead Youth Development Coach to Academy Director.

He’s had a pivotal role in developing current first-team stars Jack Hinshelwood and Evan Ferguson, as well as Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez and Arsenal’s Ben White, who were all at the Seagulls' Academy before securing big transfers elsewhere.

Now you can find out the keys to his rise, his top tips for candidates, and how he's built one of the best Academies in England.

The full Team Behind The Team series will profile one leading industry professional in each of the following positions that are integral to the success of a modern-day football club:

• Episode 1: Academy Director
• Episode 2: Loans Manager
• Episode 3: Chief Scout
• Episode 4: Head of Recruitment
• Episode 5: Sporting Director

Watch our full interview with Buckman to find out on our YouTube channel, @TransferRoom, below, and subscribe so you’re the first to see the next episodes.

Why you should join StaffRoom for FREE

StaffRoom is football's only digital network for top industry talent, and it's our new online platform that gives football industry professionals the network and job opportunities to accelerate their career, and clubs the ability to discover and hire the game’s top talent.

Industry professionals, grow your football network and never miss out on relevant opportunities. Club decision-makers, expand your network and hire the best talent to create a winning club. Join StaffRoom for FREE here.