Eleven Football Speakers to Celebrate the UEFA Euro 2020 Final

The UEFA Euro 2020 Final is finally here!

On the eve of the final, we dove into some of the most famous clubs, players, managers and boadroom directors in the world to select an incredible eleven speakers from the beautiful game, providing glorious moments of inspiration for your next event.

Gareth Southgate

Gareth is an authoritative figure on the pitch and has since taken on the role of England national team manager, gaining him an unbeaten record with the Three Lions in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award and the england coach who took the team to the Euro 2020 Final against Italy.

Following an impressive 18-year playing career, internationally making 57 appearances for the England national team, featuring in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and both the 1996 and 2000 European Championships. His playing career ended in May 2006 at the age of 35, and after more than 500 league appearances.

Gareth’s leadership skills, along with his management style, inspires others to reach higher. It’s those qualities that translate into powerful moments at your next event.

Alex Scott

Alex Scott is a highly-regarded pundit for BBC and Sky Sports, a regular on BBC’s Match of the Day, as well as fronting ambassadorial campaigns with Nike, Barclays and Cadbury’s.

After signing with Arsenal at age 8, Alex helped the club achieve a domestic double of the FA Women’s Cup and the FA Women’s Premier League. She was also a key figure in the historic quadruple season for Arsenal in which they won all their trophy competitions. While playing for England Alex had the opportunity to travel the world playing the game she loves.

Since retiring in 2018, though not before representing Great Britain in the Olympics, Alex has moved onto charitable endeavours with The Alex Scott Academy and is a motivating speaker that is a perfect fit for your next speaking event.

Clarke Carlisle

Known for his eloquence and candour, not only is Clarke an electrifying radio and television presenter and ex-footballer, but also a moving ambassador for mental health awareness.

Clarke’s football career began when he made his debut for Blackpool in September 1997 before moving to Queens Park Rangers in 2000. He then had spells at Leeds United and Watford before joining Burnley. In 2000 Clarke was selected by Howard Wilkinson and won three caps for the England under-21s. However, in 2001 Clarke suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury which nearly ended his career.

Known for his eloquence and candour, Clarke has spoken openly about the depression which has dogged most of his adult life. Publicly discussing his mental health struggles and attempted suicide has put Clarke in a position of influence to aid the breakdown of the stigma around the subject.

Clarke is an ambassador for the mental health charity Mind and also the Premier League Kick It Out Campaign, which promotes inclusion and equality in football.

A previous speaker at one of our Knowledge Guild  showcase events, Clarke is the ideal speaker for health and wellbeing and sport events, and he is also an excellent corporate motivational speaker and host.

Matt Le Tissier

Revered for his technical prowess on the field, Matt Le Tissier is known as one of the most gifted English footballers of his generation.

An attacking midfielder with exceptional technical skills, Le Tissier is the second-highest ever scorer for Southampton and was voted PFA Young Player of the Year in 1990. He was also the first midfielder to score 100 goals in the Premier League and is notable for his record at scoring penalty kicks, converting from the spot 47 times from 48 attempts.

Beloved for his loyalty to Southampton FC, he was nicknamed “Le God” and has since become a football commentator regularly seen on the award-winning football show, Soccer Saturday on Sky.

Matt is a consummate and charming awards host and after dinner speaker for your next sporting event.

Ryan Giggs

If you’re a football fan, you know the infamous Ryan Giggs. A dedicated Manchester United player for almost 25 years, he’s won multiple trophies, was also the Wales national team captain, and led the Great Britain football team in the 2012 Olympic Games.

Since retiring Ryan has dedicated his time to coaching and is currently the Welsh National Team Coach. Prior to taking up his current role, Ryan had a spell as Manchester United’s caretaker manager.

A regular TV pundit, Ryan also is a popular choice on the corporate circuit, covering topics including; sporting success, peak performance, football coaching and his experience with the Premier League, and of course, his time at Manchester United.

Jake Humphrey

As the face of Premier League Football on BT Sport and much of BBC Sport’s national and international coverage, Jake Humphrey is one of the most popular and well-known sport presenters in the UK.

At 32 Jake was the youngest ever presenter to host the hat-trick of BBC Sport programmes: Football Focus, Match of the Day and Final Score. In 2008, he joined Sue Barker and Gary Lineker to co-host BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year. He also has a production company – Whisper Films and is an ambassador for CLIC Sargent.

Jake is an experienced professional well-versed in wooing audiences and is the perfect fit for awards ceremonies and live events.

Emma Hayes

As the only female manager to win the double, Emma is currently the first team manager of Chelsea Ladies FC.

In 2006, Emma served as assistant first team coach at Arsenal Ladies with huge success, winning 11 major trophies over three-seasons. They include three Women’s Premier League titles, three FA Women’s Cups and the UEFA Women’s Cup crown. As well as assistant First Team coach, Emma was also Academy Director; overseeing the development of young players at the club, many of whom currently feature in the Women’s Super League.

Emma is an accomplished sports speaker that draws on her decade-long experience in management and her love for the game.

Laura Bassett

With over 60 international caps under her belt, including a bronze medal from the hugely successful 2015 Football World Cup, professional footballer Laura Bassett is a key figure for England’s Lionesses.

Away from the pitch, Laura draws on her experience leading her Super League team, overcoming adversity when scoring an own goal in the Football World Cup semi-finals, and being a prominent figure in the challenging world of a male dominated sport

With a compelling story to tell, Laura’s speaking topics include: leadership, understanding pressure, the psychology of winning, transferring skills, pressure management, working in a male environment and challenging perceptions.

Pierluigi Collina

Pierluigi Collina was, without a doubt, one of the world's greatest football referees and most recognized faces around the globe today.

Pierluigi's career highlights include the final of the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, the UEFA Champions League Final in Barcelona in 1999, the World Cup in France in 1998, Euro 2000 and the World Cup Final in 2002. Mr. Collina has been a referee since 1977 and was voted best referee of the world voted by IFFHS for 6 consecutive years between 1998 and 2003 as well as best referee in the Italian league for 6 years.

Pierluigi provides a fascinating glimpse into the game and offers exciting anecdotes that are sure to keep audiences on their toes.

Mike Forde

Mike Forde is widely recognised for driving innovation and pioneering cutting-edge methods in sports. He has assisted a variety of global sports teams within the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL to build game-changing performance models for success.

The former Football Operations Director and Executive Club Director for Chelsea FC, Mike, worked closely with the first team, including player recruitment and performance analysis, as well the medical and psychological aspects of what is the most followed sport in the world.

Mike also helped lead the Bolton Wanderers Football Club, a team known for achieving maximum performance from restricted finances, to four consecutive top six EPL finishes (a record for the 100-year old club) as their former performance director.

Mike is an expert in performance and talent management, and is an inspiring speaker across topics such as, creating leading teams, strategies for becoming a high achiever, big data in sport, among other sporting and business topics.

Karren Brady

Former managing director of Birmingham City Football Club and current vice-chairman of West Ham United, Karren Brady, the first lady of football, is an entrepreneur, business speaker, journalist and author.

Karren believes in hard work (be persistent); networking (spread your message); moving on (failure is history); avoiding getting side-tracked: and always doing your sums.

As the first woman to break into the very male dominated world of football, and Alan Sugar’s adviser on The Apprentice, Karren’s tenacity, business acumen and fervent determination to encourage women to fulfil their capacity for professional success, have made her a household name. She is a compelling and unstoppable business speaker that’s a must-have on the corporate circuit.

So that's our first XI, but like all good football coaches, we've also decided to name a few substitutes to boot too...

• Chris Kamara, ex-footballer and manager, is a high-profile and immensely popular TV pundit who appears on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday programme and Sky Sports' Goals on Sunday.
• Gary Bailey , a South African national hero and former Manchester United goal keeper with over 300 professional matches under his belt.
• Kirsty Gallacher , professional sports broadcaster that has presented Gladiators, The National Lottery and Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Soccer-Aid with Dermot O'Leary and is one of the most popular faces on Sky Sports.
• Rasmus Ankersen , a footballer turned boadroom director who has led his clubs to unprecedented success on the pitch. Rasmus is a performance specialist, entrepreneur, and bestselling author for powerful business messages on talent management, high-performance cultures, and socio-economic indicators of success.

To book, or for more info. on any of our speakers, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email us at  info@speakerscorner.co.uk .

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