Episode Details

In this interview live from The World Football Summit in Madrid, David Chimbaza speaks with Fernando Costa Almeida, CEO of Apoel Football Club in Cyprus, about club leadership, financial restructuring, academy development and the importance of building trusted networks in the football industry. Fernando shares his journey from helping APOEL during its league-winning period to becoming involved in the club’s financial planning and search for new investment.

Fernando explains the challenges of preparing a major club for investment, particularly when expectations are built around constant success in domestic competitions and European football. He discusses the difficult decision to reduce the football budget by around 40%, manage supporter and board expectations, address debt and create a more balanced relationship between revenue and expenditure. He also reflects on the importance of always having alternative plans and continuing to search for sustainable solutions in a financially demanding industry.

The conversation also explores Fernando’s belief that the academy is the heart of the club. He discusses his commitment to watching academy matches, integrating young players into the first-team environment and helping Cyprus develop a stronger football pathway. With several young APOEL players progressing into professional football and national-team involvement, Fernando explains why he believes Cyprus has the potential to qualify for a future World Cup.

Finally, Fernando shares his perspective on attending football business events, from transfer forums to global summits, and why networking remains one of the most valuable tools in football. In an industry where information is increasingly accessible through technology, he argues that trust, shared vision and personal relationships are still essential when seeking advice, solving problems, finding investors or building international partnerships.

APOEL Football Club FC: https://apoelfc.com.cy/