Determinant variables that predict the performance of professional soccer clubs in Ethiopian Primer League

Introduction: Managing soccer clubs is a challenging and rewarding experience, requiring a combination of leadership skills and strategic decision-making. Objective: This study investigated professional soccer club performance determinants in the Ethiopian Premier League. Methodology: This study investigated professional soccer club performance determinants in the Ethiopian Premier League. A correlational analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between the variables and the performance of soccer clubs. Thirty-nine seven-point Likert scale questionnaires, deemed reliable (α = .91), were used to collect data from a sample of 214 participants selected through a simple random sampling method. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, correlations, and multiple linear regression analyses (with a significance level of P < 0.05) were performed using SPSS version 26 software. Results: There was a negative correlation between the performance of soccer clubs and fan influence (r = (214) -.170, p < .05); financing (r = (214) -.394, p < .01); club history (r = (214) -.106, p > .05); game situations (r = (214) -.480, p < .01); human capital (r = (214) -.024, p > .05); media (r = (214) -.365, p < .01); legal issues (r = (214) -.406, p < .01); and leadership and governance (r = (214) -.139, p < .05), respectively. Furthermore, eight predictors collectively explained 44.7% of the variance (F (8, 214) = 22.537, p < .001). Discussion: The study reveals that factors like financing, game situations, media, and legal issues significantly influence soccer club performance, accounting for nearly half of its variability. Conclusions: The study found that game situation, financial capability, and legal issues significantly impact football club performance, whereas human capital, fan influence, and club history exhibit greater variability.