EP125: Joe Jacobson (CEO of Reading Football Club)

University of Staffordshire's Performing Under Pressure Podcast · Oct 1, 2026 · 54m

How do you make the transition from being a professional footballer to being the CEO of an EFL club? Joe Jacobson had an extensive playing career including making over 300 appearances for Wycombe Wanderers. Since he retired in 2024, he has moved into the boardroom, becoming CEO of Reading Football Club.

In this episode, we explore how to build togetherness within a football club, and how to negotiate effectively when it comes to transfers. Joe also thinks back to his career and we discuss the psychology behind taking penalties and the importance of self-belief, with Joe reflecting on his…