Folha Seca

The guest on the ninety-fourth episode is Claus Thomsen, the CEO of the Danish League. Throughout the conversation, Claus reflects on the Superliga’s evolution since 2007, detailing the structural shifts that created today’s format, explains how Denmark became a premier European talent incubator, leveraging systematic academy investments and "strategic bureaucracy" to become the ultimate bridge to the Premier League. He discusses the "Matchday Production" model, where the League took control of its own broadcast output to empower clubs and engage fans directly. From navigating the complexities of Multi-Club Ownership to implementing automated facial recognition for stadium safety, Claus emphasizes a management style rooted in transparency and collective growth. He offers a candid critique of the expanding international calendar, arguing that domestic leagues are the "backbone" of the sport that must be protected from cannibalization. By prioritizing sustainability over endless expansion, Claus provides a masterclass on how mid-sized leagues can punch above their weight in a globalized market.

The guest on the ninety-third episode is Robert Eenhoorn, the former CEO of AZ Alkmaar. A pioneer who bridged the gap between American sports analytics and European football, Robert’s transition from a New York Yankees player to a top-tier football executive is a masterclass in disruptive leadership. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on his decade-long tenure at AZ, which was a period marked by sustained organic revenue growth and a multi-fold increase in squad market value that solidified the club's financial elite status. Robert details the "do more with less" philosophy that defines AZ, explaining how the Club utilizes data as a compass to outperform giants like Ajax and PSV. He discusses his unique journey from winning the 2011 Baseball World Cup as a technical director to implementing Billy Beane’s principles in the Eredivisie. From navigating the 2019 stadium roof collapse to clinching the 2023 UEFA Youth League title, Robert emphasizes a management style rooted in objective transparency, high-stakes efficiency, and the willingness to think differently.

The guest on the ninety-second episode of Folha Seca is Jacob Lennartsson, CEO of Mjällby AIF. A true "club man" whose history with the organization began as a six-year-old ballboy, Jacob’s journey to the executive office is as remarkable as the club’s own ascent. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on Mjällby’s incredible turnaround—from the brink of bankruptcy and the fourth tier in 2016 to winning their first-ever Swedish League title in 2025. Jacob details the unique "farmers and fishermen" spirit of Hällevik, explaining how a club from a locality in which only approximately 840 people live manages to outperform giants with much larger budgets. He discusses his transition from academy coaching and communication to the role of CEO, where he emphasizes a leadership philosophy rooted in efficiency, transparency, and empowerment.

O convidado do nonagésimo primeiro episódio do Folha Seca é João Amaral, head of scouting do FC Barcelona e ex-director-técnico do Rio Ave. Ao longo da conversa, João detalha a sua evolução desde a formação do Benfica até à elite europeia, analisando como a bagagem técnica e a experiência no mundo do agenciamento de jogadores potenciaram a sua leitura de jogo e capacidade negocial, respectivamente. O convidado explica a importância vital do contacto humano e da validação pessoal no processo de recrutamento de um jogador, revelando como identifica 'red flags' no comportamento do atleta ou da sua 'entourage'. Entre vários temas, João aborda ainda a complexidade da gestão em redes de multi-clubes (os chamados 'MCOs', multi-club ownerships), a estratégia de mercado do FC Barcelona face à sua reengenharia financeira actual, o potencial do mercado africano, o uso de dados no processo de scouting e as competências essenciais para liderar a prospecção de um colosso do futebol mundial como o Barça.

O convidado do nonagésimo episódio do Folha Seca é Edu Gaspar, Global Head of Football da rede de clubes de Evangelos Marinakis. Ao longo da conversa, Edu revisita a influência de Arsène Wenger na sua visão de liderança, compara a gestão estruturada do Arsenal com a agilidade do actual modelo multi-clubes e detalha a importância vital do alinhamento estratégico entre o director-desportivo e o treinador. Edu aborda ainda a gestão de casos disciplinares mediáticos, como a saída de Aubameyang, explica como a comunicação fluida resolve crises internas e descreve o seu processo de recrutamento, que valoriza a entrevista ao atleta. Entre vários outros temas, o ex-jogador analisa o impacto da saúde mental e das redes sociais nos jogadores modernos, discute a transição de director-técnico para director-desportivo e elenca as competências essenciais, como a imparcialidade e a inovação, para ter sucesso nesta função.