For a long time, leadership in football has looked the same. Boardrooms, federation offices, and even the technical areas on the sidelines have historically been dominated by men. But that picture is slowly starting to change. Across the football world, more women are beginning to step into positions of power, not just as players, but as administrators, executives, and coaches shaping the direction of the sport itself.
One of the earliest breakthroughs came when Isha Johansen made history in 2013 by becoming president of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA). It was the first time a woman had ever held that role, and it sent a powerful message that football governance did not have to remain a men-only space. Since then, the sport has slowly started to see more women move into leadership roles.
In Europe, figures like Lina Souloukou are a part of that shift. As CEO of Nottingham Forest Football Club, Souloukou represents a growing number of women stepping into the executive side of football. These appointments are still not common, but they reflect a gradual change in how leadership within the sport is beginning to look.
Football institutions themselves are also starting to recognise the need to develop women leaders. Organisations such as the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have created initiatives aimed at preparing women for senior roles within the sport. One example is the UEFA Women in Football Leadership Programme, which focuses on mentorship, leadership training, and networking opportunities for women already working in football. Programmes like this are designed to open doors that have historically been closed, and they aim to help women build the experience and connections needed to move into decision-making positions.
However, leadership in football is not only happening in boardrooms. It is also happening on the touchline.
In South Africa, Desiree Ellis has become one of the most respected voices in the game. As head coach of Banyana Banyana, Ellis has helped guide the team through one of the most successful periods in its history while also helping to redefine what leadership in football can look like.
When asked about the qualities women bring to leadership in football, Ellis was quick to point out that leadership is not something that belongs to one gender. “I think everyone has their own leadership qualities,” she said. “There are male coaches in the women’s game who are also very good leaders, so it’s not about saying women are better leaders.” For Ellis, leadership is rooted in something much simpler: connection. “There is a nurturing element,” she explained. “Being able to connect with players and understand them is important.” That connection, she believes, comes from recognising something that can often get lost in elite sport. “You’re not just coaching players,” Ellis said. “You’re working with human beings first.”
It is a philosophy that shapes the way she approaches her role with Banyana Banyana. Ellis believes that leadership extends far beyond tactics and training sessions. Understanding the people behind the players matters just as much. “You have to be there not just on the field but off the field as well,” she said. “You have to understand who people are.”
Despite the growing success of women’s football in South Africa, Ellis believes the women’s game is still too often viewed through the lens of comparison. The achievements of Banyana Banyana are frequently measured against those of the men’s national team, Bafana Bafana. For Ellis, that comparison misses the point. “We have different dynamics and different challenges,” she said. “When Banyana wins, people immediately compare it to Bafana. But we should celebrate each team for its own achievements.”
Looking ahead, Ellis believes the future of women’s football, particularly in Africa, depends on building stronger professional structures. “We’ve been left behind by other continents because they have professional leagues and systems,” she said. “Professionalising the sport is one of the most important things we can do.” Without that structure, she warns, the progress the game has made could struggle to sustain itself. “If players leave the game and there is no system to replace them, then the progress won’t be sustainable,” Ellis said.
But despite these challenges, the direction of women’s football is clear. From federation presidents and club executives to national team coaches, women are slowly but steadily reshaping the leadership landscape of the sport. The change may not be happening overnight, but it is happening nonetheless. And as more women step into positions of influence across the game, football is beginning to reflect something it has often forgotten.
At its core, it is not just about tactics, trophies, or titles. Ultimately, it is about people.
