Taiwo Awoniyi posted a photo of himself in graduation gown and cap, certificate in hand, on X last week. "Another proud moment for me off the pitch. Still playing. Still learning. The journey continues," he wrote.
The Coventry City striker has graduated from the PFA Business School with a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Football Sport Directorship, earning a merit. The programme is designed to prepare current and former footballers for careers as sporting directors, executives and football administrators.
The qualification is his third in four years. In 2020, Awoniyi completed a diploma in Business Administration and Marketing Management from the London School of International Business. Two years later, he graduated with a Business Management degree from Buckinghamshire New University.
The 29-year-old is building a post-playing career while still in his prime. Most footballers wait until retirement to think about life after the game. Awoniyi is doing it now, balancing Premier League football with postgraduate study.
His off-pitch progress has coincided with a major change on it. Awoniyi completed a permanent move from Nottingham Forest to newly promoted Coventry City in August for a reported £9 million. The transfer ended a four-year spell at Forest where he made 103 appearances, scored 23 goals and provided six assists. The move reunited him with manager Frank Lampard, who he played under at Forest.
Things have not gone smoothly since. Awoniyi was shown a red card during Coventry's 5-0 defeat to Brighton last weekend. The sending off means he will miss the club's next league game, which happens to be against his former side, Nottingham Forest.
His start at Coventry has been bumpy. His academic record tells a different story. The PFA Business School qualification adds football-specific leadership training to a CV that already includes business administration, marketing management and business management.
Awoniyi announced the graduation on X, sharing photos from the ceremony. The diploma focuses on football leadership and sporting administration, giving him the tools for a front-office role when his playing days end.
He is not the first player to study while still active, but his timing stands out. At 29, Awoniyi is likely entering the final years of his playing career. The coursework he has completed positions him for a move into football management or executive work without a gap year spent figuring out what comes next.
The graduation also arrived days after one of the lowest points of his club season. The red card against Brighton left Coventry short-handed in a heavy defeat. Awoniyi will watch from the stands when Coventry face Forest, the club he left in August.
For now, he has his certificate, his merit grade and a clear sense of direction. The PFA Business School programme has produced graduates who moved into sporting director roles across English football. Awoniyi's diploma puts him on that path.
He said it himself: still playing, still learning. The second part is as true as the first.
According to Pulse.ng.
