The impact of youth academies on financial & sporting success of the leading associations in European football

Abstract

In this study, the financial performances of the top leagues in UEFA's associations in terms of total assets and in many other aspects between 2013-18 were examined with the macroeconomic conditions of the countries they are located in. Premier League (England), La Liga (Spain), Serie A (Italy), Bundesliga (Germany), Ligue 1 (France), Liga NOS (Portugal), Premier Liga (Russia), Süper Lig (Turkey), Eredivisie (the Netherlands), Pro A (Belgium) are included. Along with the countries’ economic and population sizes, the indicators of governance and doing business have a direct impact on the leagues’ revenues and profitability. In addition to the results of these analyses, human resources are one of the most important elements in the structures of clubs. Under these conditions, the relationship between the squad structure strategies, youth development systems, and sportive achievements of a total of 42 leading clubs from these leagues was analyzed. When the leagues are ranked according to their asset size, from top to bottom, the clubs move away from getting results by realizing expensive transfers. In addition to clubs that aim for sportive success by creating a squad almost exclusively by transfer, there are also those who primarily allocate minutes to its own academy grown players. There are clubs that aim to unite homegrown players and arrival transfers from other associations in their squads. Transferring players at a young age, utilizing them in the pitch for a while and then making money from their departure transfer is another strategy. It is important for the development of football to reveal the determining factors in the clubs’ financial and sportive results. More importantly, youth academies, which are recommended to be developed and strengthened in the light of the findings of the study, will be a salvation for some countries, especially in terms of their economic and social conditions.