Interview of Vincent Monnier, CIES Senior Manager International Relations

Can you first tell us about yourself and your career path?

In fact, my career is filled with coincidences. After completing studies in history and finding my first job in industry, I wanted a few months of professional experience in Zurich… and I “landed” at FIFA, which had a staff of 35 at the time, and ended up staying more than 10 years… Another coincidence was that due to internal reorganisation, I was entrusted with - among other duties - management of the academic activities of FIFA, and therefore of CIES. I joined CIES in 2006, having completed a Master’s Degree in communication sciences, to develop the activities of the FIFA/CIES International University Network… So nothing was really planned, but fate is (sometimes) a good provider…

What links do you have with the sport world?

My links with sport are both close and tenuous… I practise sport with pleasure, every day, in Switzerland and abroad (swimming, tennis, fitness, sometimes rowing etc.)… A swim early in the morning, in cold water, wakes up the brain and keeps you going all day long. On the other hand, I have never been a great competitor, although I have had the opportunity to play a few times in the FIFA team despite my limited football talent…

Who is your favourite sportsman and why?

I’m not very good at handing out merits or demerits… Also, I don’t really like rankings which are one of the “plagues” of modern society. There are athletes who are inspirational and others whose performance and achievements you admire, but it doesn’t go beyond that. There are athletes whose performances or techniques are outdated today, but who played an essential role in the development of their sport… There are also “duels” between athletes or teams which go down in sporting history: Ivan Lendl and John McEnroe, Carl Lewis and Mike Powell, the American and Norwegian women’s football teams… Does this all sound nostalgic to you? Perhaps that goes with my studies in history…

What are the special areas of expertise of the FIFA/CIES International University Network?

The key objective of the FIFA/CIES network is to offer fundamental training in key fields of sports management such as law, finance/accounting, communication, management, marketing, sponsorship and event management. The idea is not to train experts, but to allow sports managers to better understand the environment in which their organisation functions, so as to make the most appropriate decisions.

Also, the sport management programme organised in the framework of the FIFA/CIES network is complementary to other CIES educational activities. As an example, this year, five Programme alumni will start the 14th edition of the FIFA Master’s Degree… It is important to create and develop such connections! This motivates our students and gives more meaning to the work we do.

How does the FIFA/CIES International University Network concretely impact the sport industry?

The key impact is to improve the management of sports entities on a daily basis, which is already something. Too often, inadequate management results in loss of credibility, a deteriorated image with stakeholders (governments, sponsors, media, etc.). By offering the appropriate tools and changing routines, the Programme contributes to improving this situation.

Moreover, we never propose the FIFA/CIES Programme as a key to higher positions or salaries. That being said, success stories abound in countries where we have been active for several years. Alumni today have important responsibilities in federal bodies or clubs… and even at FIFA.  They create effective networks which make it easier to achieve common projects and ventures.

What are the long-term aims of the FIFA/CIES International University Network?

Improve ourselves, constantly and unfailingly. That is why we are always “open to the world” and focused on our partners.