Could Ted Lasso get a work permit? Looking at the football manager immigration process in the UK
The[1] Premier League is the most watched football league in the world[2], attracting the best talent not just on the pitch, but in the dugout too. From Pep Guardiola to Unai Emery, international managers have become the norm rather than the exception. But behind most international appointments lies an immigration process that most fans never think about: the Governing Body Endorsement (GBE), more commonly known as a ‘Work Permit’.
The BBC recently reported on the increasing trend of clubs looking abroad for their managerial appointments[3]. Having advised on the immigration aspects of numerous Premier League managerial appointments, we wanted to explain what it actually takes to bring an international manager or coach to England, and what better way to do it than through the lens of everyone’s favourite fictional gaffer, Ted Lasso?
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- Tags: Governing Body Endorsements (GBE) | Immigration | The FA Handbook | The Football Association (The FA)
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Written by
Stephen O’Flaherty
Managing Associate the Employment, Immigration and Reward department. He specialises in sports immigration with a particular focus on football and rugby. Stephen advises professional clubs, agents, international associations, individual players and their families on a variety of issues including transfers, visas, work permits, governing body endorsements and international exhibition games and tournaments.
Stephen also advises on disciplinary matters, regulations and compliance with sponsorship.
