Italy’s top business school, SDA Bocconi in Milan, is to launch a programme for senior executives in the finance sector - but with a twist. As well as the usual classes in finance and general management, participants will receive coaching on their mental and physical attributes from soccer club AC Milan.

The school believes the programme, which will enrol its first class in September, will appeal to those in the banking and insurance sectors who will move into top management positions in the changing financial environment - as well as to football fans.