Ensuring the world‘s best league retains
access to the world’s best talent
Responding to the shifting sands of Brexit
Challenge
We were asked to collaborate with Premier League clubs to develop a work permit system that maintains the Premier League’s position in world football, while navigating political and practical challenges. To do this we had to understand the complexities of talent flow in and out of English football, and understand the future-facing needs of clubs in the context of an increasingly globalised marketplace.
Solution
Presented with quotas as an early solution, we canvassed club opinions and existing evidence to demonstrate their ineffectiveness at achieving all the stakeholders’ aims. The consultation process led us to help develop plans for more effective talent development systems in English football, such that local talent would not be crowded out by access to new talent in the updated work permit system. Finally, we built on the principles developed by the clubs to model and refine a points-based system that met the dual objectives of retaining the Premier League’s status and better developing English-qualified players
Despite many conflicting opinions and objectives, we produced a solution that was approved by all stakeholders (Premier League, clubs, English Football League, the FA) and put in place in time for the January 2021 transfer window.
Impact
Having started with a series of conflicting views, we were able to gain alignment among stakeholders that making a material change to the competition format would not bring sufficient benefit to all clubs.
“Twenty First Group’s support ensured that all stakeholders in football could come to an effective, evidence-based solution”
