Key facts
- Ebru Koksal, a former investment banker, became CEO of Galatasaray and held leadership roles in Turkish football and international bodies.
- She believes football has a more patriarchal system than finance, where women's tendency to ask difficult questions is often disliked.
- Koksal chairs Women in Football, advocating for equal opportunities in the sport.
- She noted England's success in appointing women to leadership roles through independent board recruitment.
- Koksal expressed concern about ongoing barriers for women in top football leadership positions.
- Her long-term ambition is to run for the presidency of Galatasaray.
Ebru Koksal, a prominent executive with a background in investment banking and extensive experience in football administration, has spoken about the challenges women face in the sport. Koksal, who has held positions including CEO of Galatasaray, general secretary of the Turkish Football Federation, and advisor to Fifa and Uefa, believes football's environment is more patriarchal than that of finance.
She noted that in football, leaders and presidents often have the final say, and those around them may not always challenge assumptions or ask difficult questions. Koksal stated that women tend to ask such questions, which is not always well-received. This contrasts with her experience in finance, where she perceives a more merit-based advancement and potentially less prejudice, though she acknowledges the existence of unconscious bias.
Koksal expressed pride in England's progress, citing the appointments of Debbie Hewitt, Alison Brittain, and Nikki Doucet as chairs of the FA, Premier League, and Women's Super League, respectively. She attributed this success to the recruitment of independent board members. However, she highlighted that despite seeing more women in senior leadership, a 'silent barrier' persists for those aiming for top roles like chair, board member, or CEO, a situation she finds concerning.
She also referenced the recent departure of Lina Souloukou, the only female CEO of a Premier League club. Koksal mentioned the efforts of Uefa executives Lise Klaveness and Laura McAllister in challenging Fifa president Gianni Infantino. Despite the political nature of women's advancement in football, Koksal, at 58, still harbors ambitions, including a desire to one day run for the presidency of Galatasaray.