Top Players Who Have Invested in Football Clubs

…and Why They’re Ditching the Dugout for the Boardroom

Top Players Who Have Invested in Football Clubs.

We all know the typical post-retirement path for footballers; coaching badges, media gigs, or occasionally, opening a trendy café. But a growing number of stars are saying, “No thanks” to the manager’s whistle and going straight for the boardroom.

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And who can blame them? From Luka Modric’s surprise move into Swansea’s ownership in April 2025 to Mbappé’s bold investment in Caen, the new dream for some footballers isn't just lifting trophies — it's owning the club that does.

Let’s break down the players rewriting the post-football playbook — and what’s really going on behind those high-stakes investment moves.

The Players Who’ve Made the Leap

It’s not just about playing anymore — some of football’s biggest names are taking a bold new route: investing in clubs themselves.

Luka Modric is now a co-owner of Swansea’ City.

Be it global icons or quiet grafters, these players are trading boots for boardrooms, shaping the game’s future from the top down. Whether they’re still active or freshly retired, they’re putting their money (and vision) into clubs they believe in.

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Here are the stars who’ve already made the move from pitch to portfolio:

• Luka Modric – Now a minority co-owner of Swansea City. Classy on the pitch, shrewd off it.

• David Beckham – Co-owner of Inter Miami and Salford City. Because, of course, he is.

• Kylian Mbappé – Recently took majority ownership of SM Caen. That’s £12.6m of belief in the long game.

• Sadio Mané – Investing in Bourges Foot 18, quietly building his legacy at home.

• Juan Mata – Co-owner at San Diego FC, continuing his thoughtful, global approach to the game.

• Wilfried Zaha – Backing AFC Croydon, showing love to his local roots.

• César Azpilicueta – Investor in the ever-innovative Hashtag United.

• Héctor Bellerín – Proud part-owner of eco-club Forest Green Rovers.

• Eden Hazard & Demba Ba – Though their club, San Diego 1904, never hit the pitch, their intent was loud and clear.

• Zlatan Ibrahimović – Part-owner of Hammarby and now a senior advisor at AC Milan. Even in a suit, he’s Zlatan.

• The Class of '92 (Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, etc.) – Owners of Salford City, trying to take the club to the Championship by 2029.

Sadio Mané has invested in a football team in his homeland.

Why Club Ownership Instead of Management?

After years on the pitch, it's normal to expect former footballers to stick close to the touchline, shouting instructions in a tracksuit. But that old-school path? It’s no longer the only option — and for many, not even the appealing one.

Zlatan has zero interest in the dugout drama — too much hassle, not enough control.

Beckham’s in the same camp: managing? Hard pass. They’re not being lazy — they’re being strategic. Ownership offers something management rarely does: true influence. Not just picking lineups, but shaping entire clubs.

There’s also a deeper reason here. These players know what it's like to be young, rich, hyped — and hard to manage. Some even joke about being a coach’s worst nightmare back in the day. So why put themselves through that from the other side?

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Ownership isn’t just an escape from stress — it’s a way to lead on their own terms.

Trading Kits for Corner Offices: Getting Ready

You’d be surprised how many players are hitting the books instead of the beach. Players like Jordan Henderson, Ilkay Gündogan, and Tyrone Mings are studying football business and management, not after management, but while still playing.

At the PFA Business School, future execs like Robbie Fowler are diving into sporting directorships rather than settling for Premier League punditry, following in the footsteps of leaders like Giuseppe Marotta and Txiki Begiristain.

Gundogan be like; I'll see you soon.

For Liverpool legend Fowler, the game’s appeal doesn’t end with the final whistle. He’s said as much — that the behind-the-scenes work is just as fascinating as what happens on the pitch. It’s about staying in the game, but this time, in suits instead of kits.

The Risks: Not All That Glitters…

Owning a club isn't all flash and fortune. Just look at Mbappé — after investing £12.6m in SM Caen, his team is fighting relegation. That’s pressure! The weight of that investment can’t be easy, especially when you’re trying to save a club from falling apart.

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Then there’s David Villa, who co-founded Queensboro FC, but the club still hasn’t kicked a ball in competition. It’s a tough pill to swallow when your ambitious plans don’t materialise.

Gary Neville and co have made impressive strides at Salford City

Even Salford City, backed by the iconic Class of '92, have made impressive strides with multiple promotions — but they’re still working hard to climb beyond League Two. Football ownership is a gamble, and not every story is a fairy tale.

So, yes — ownership can be glamorous, but it’s also high-risk, high-stakes, and full of uncertainty.