Organized by FootEx, Powered by Comparisonator and Supported by The Book of Scouting, Football Conference Istanbul will take place on 26–27 September 2026 at Fairmont Quasar Istanbul | Luna Ballroom, bringing together leading professionals from across international football.
Under the theme BEYOND 90 MINUTES, the conference will explore the decisions, structures and leadership models shaping the future of the professional game.
Football clubs are built for results, but sustainable success requires much more than what happens on the pitch.
How should football organisations be led, governed and structured for the long term?
Building the Future of Football: Leadership, Governance & Sustainable Structures
27 September | 12:00–12:45 | Session 6
Strong recruitment, player development and sporting performance all depend on the structures behind them. Leadership defines direction, governance creates accountability and sustainable planning allows football organisations to grow beyond short-term results.
But how can clubs and governing bodies balance sporting ambition with long-term stability?
What does effective leadership look like in modern football? How can governance support better decision-making? And how can organisations create structures that continue to develop players, people and institutions over time?
This session brings together perspectives from club leadership, football administration, governance and European football development to discuss how sustainable football organisations can be built.
Les Reed — Former 1st Vice-Chairman of the UEFA Development & Technical Assistance Committee
Les Reed is one of the United Kingdom’s most experienced football executives, with a career spanning technical leadership, coaching, recruitment, player development and football administration.
He previously served as Technical Director of The English FA and Vice Chairman of Southampton, while also serving as 1st Vice-Chairman of UEFA’s Development and Technical Assistance Committee. Reed is also a contributor to The Book of Scouting – Volume One, sharing his experience of building effective football organisations and recruitment structures.
Dr. Ural Akuzum — TFF Board Member | Member of UEFA Youth & Amateur Football Committee
Dr. Ural Akuzum is a Turkish academic, entrepreneur and senior sports executive who currently serves as a TFF Board Member and member of UEFA’s Youth & Amateur Football Committee.
His experience includes 12 years in the management of Galatasaray, leadership roles within professional football clubs and responsibilities across several national sports organisations. His background brings a broad perspective on football governance, institutional leadership and the development of sporting structures.
Moderated by Didem Dilmen
The session will be moderated by Didem Dilmen — Communications Director at Comparisonator.
Through her work at Comparisonator, Dilmen works across international football communications, industry relations and the communication of football intelligence to professional decision-makers, while also maintaining a particular focus on the development of women’s football.
Together, the panel will explore how leadership and governance can create stronger foundations for the future of football.
Because sustainable success is not built through one transfer, one season or one decision.
It depends on the structures, people and principles that allow football organisations to develop over time.
That conversation continues with Building the Future of Football.
Football Conference Istanbul by FootEx
26–27 September 2026
Fairmont Quasar Istanbul | Luna Ballroom
BEYOND 90 MINUTES
