“My dad has a certain spirit, a twinkle in his eye, someone who can set a certain standard for players but also convey it with humor. What I learned from him is that coaching is, more than anything, about connecting with people.”

English-American football manager and executive

Jillian Anne Ellis is an English-American football manager and executive. As of March 2026, she serves as chief football officer of FIFA, a post she took in December 2024. Ellis has built her career in football management and administration, moving from coaching into one of the sport’s top executive roles. Her public profile is tied to leadership in the game rather than to a single playing career, and her name is most often associated with modern football governance and development.