Neil Sang is a former professional footballer for Everton FC and Torquay United.

In 1999, after having several seasons in the semi-professional game, he became the youngest football agent in the world at 26 when he was granted his FIFA License.

He then set up his own boutique sports management company, Sportstar Promotions Limited, and is based in Liverpool. He has been studying a Masters Degree in Sport Directorship at Manchester Metropolitan University since September 2015.

“I am really excited to be studying a Masters in Sport Directorship for several reasons. The biggest reason is that I am constantly striving to be of more value to the people I work with and to the people I work for.

“The MSD is giving me an extremely valuable, all-round education on topics such as leadership, leading a sporting organisation and personal development that I know will be of huge benefit.

“My early career as a young footballer was littered with frustration and regret. It’s easy to blame everyone else for your failings and to make excuses for why you didn’t achieve this or that, but excuses don’t serve you. Honest reflection does though.

“I wanted all the tough times that I endured to have value, and if they didn’t, my experiences would have been for nothing.

“That is the reason my main service to clients is unwavering support and mentorship. All professional athletes go through worrying periods and that’s when I come in and offer them some “Yin” for their “Yang”.

“I am constantly working with them to instil the belief that there’s no such thing as an excuse. In my experience, you either make good choices or bad choices and the better your choices, the better it is for your career progression.

“I am passionate about people fulfilling their potential so I see my support role as a major piece to the puzzle that is professional sport.”

To learn more about the world leading sporting directors programme visit www.sportingdirectorship.com.