| Performance analysis in football 13:22 - Jan 22 with 1496 views | IPSWICHFANITFC |
Does anyone have a background in this? Or has tried to get into this and/or on the journey to becoming qualified, and if so, what were your first steps?
Performance analysis, analysing data, video analysis, talent identification etc within football is something that really interests me, yet I've never taken the opening steps into learning more, taking courses and obtaining the relevant qualifications.
Perhaps my underlying doubt has always been about finding an opportunity to turn into it a career - is it a niche market whereby opportunities at a professional level are hard to come by? I'm not sure, but any advice or knowledge that you are able to share would be welcomed please. |  |
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| Performance analysis in football on 13:37 - Jan 22 with 1408 views | cartface07 |
I used to work as a performance analyst for Fulham, a little while back now. Will try to answer some of your q's...
It's hard to get into - most people start off doing internships for very low wages (mainly because there's a lot of people out there who would do it for free). I got into it through Uni, I studied Sports Science and Statistics, as well as doing voluntary work for non league clubs around my area to build experience.
The career itself is tough - it doesn't pay well until you are much later in your career, the hours are brutal and there's a lot of pressure, especially when the club isn't doing well. I was at Fulham during the times when they bounced up and down between Prem and Champ - Prem time was amazing, relegation was not fun.
I ultimately left because I couldn't afford being in London on the salary I was on - people who were quite a lot senior to me in my department were on about 30k, and I wanted to chase the money in a different career more. (I appreciate this is a decent salary, however working/living around Fulham it does not go far)
Having said that, I look back on my time fondly and I wish it was a career with better financial prospects - if money isn't an issue for you, then you'd love it. Also the guy who I worked with at a non-league club is now a Lead Analyst for Liverpool, so there is opportunity there. He has a PhD and about 10 years exp behind him now, as well as being one of the most driven people I've come across. [Post edited 22 Jan 13:45]
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| Performance analysis in football on 14:37 - Jan 22 with 1219 views | SaleAway |
This strikes me as similar to software people working in the gaming industry. Its massively underpaid compared to similar jobs in other industries, simply because loads of people want to do it. As mentioned, if you're prepared to work more for love than good wages, it can be done, but if you are talented enough at statistics and analysis to make a good living out of it, there are probably much more lucrative careers available to you. |  |
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| Performance analysis in football on 14:41 - Jan 22 with 1205 views | cartface07 |
| Performance analysis in football on 14:37 - Jan 22 by SaleAway |
This strikes me as similar to software people working in the gaming industry. Its massively underpaid compared to similar jobs in other industries, simply because loads of people want to do it. As mentioned, if you're prepared to work more for love than good wages, it can be done, but if you are talented enough at statistics and analysis to make a good living out of it, there are probably much more lucrative careers available to you. |
Yeah would agree 100% with the comparison - I work in tech now and it's something that I've thought to myself too.
It is such a shame because it's hard to choose between passion/interest and $$$, especially with today's cost of living. | |
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| Performance analysis in football on 14:57 - Jan 22 with 1096 views | _clive_baker_ |
I'm glad cartface called out the pay, or lackthereof, as its a really important point. Ultimately there are so many people that want these roles that the pay is generally poor, which is particularly sickening relative to the pay of many players.
Not performance analysis but I worked in coaching, primarily at academy level but also senior as well. I worked with Bristol Rovers, Sheffield United, Charlton and Brentford at different times. Initially I was playing semi professionally and coaching during the week as a living, but after a few injuries and knowing my primary source of income probably wasn't so secure much beyond my mid 20's I got a 'real job'. Still played and coached a bit alongside it, but given said job came with its own professional exams and what not it all got a bit much and I knocked the coaching on the head, then not too long after knocked the playing on the head after 1 injury too many at 28. By which time I was earning a little more from my day job so the transition felt less painful.
I wouldn't discourage anyone from pursuing a passion, I envy people that do it tbh. There's always a balance between the practicalities of earnings and enjoyment of ones work, but if you can make it work then good on you. Definitely go into it with your eyes open though. The biggest put off to me wasn't necessarily pay for the there and then, as my 'real job' was also quite low, but the earning potential beyond that. I was coaching alongside experience blokes in their 40's, coaching at good professional academies, who weren't earning a lot more than minimum wage. |  | | |
| Performance analysis in football on 15:40 - Jan 22 with 940 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
A lad I went to school with was probably one of the first to get into this.
He had sports related degree, and had done a scholarship at a professional club from the age of 16-18 so was a good footballer.
Straight from Uni he joined Prozone and was contracted / seconded to Chelsea. Worked his way up to Head of Performance analysis and has just joined England.
He got in at exactly the right time before it became super competitive, and probably before it was really 'a thing'. At the time his background in football was just as important as his degree, but I doubt thats a pre-requisite anymore. [Post edited 22 Jan 15:41]
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| Performance analysis in football on 15:59 - Jan 22 with 862 views | BlueSince93 |
| Performance analysis in football on 15:40 - Jan 22 by Marshalls_Mullet |
A lad I went to school with was probably one of the first to get into this.
He had sports related degree, and had done a scholarship at a professional club from the age of 16-18 so was a good footballer.
Straight from Uni he joined Prozone and was contracted / seconded to Chelsea. Worked his way up to Head of Performance analysis and has just joined England.
He got in at exactly the right time before it became super competitive, and probably before it was really 'a thing'. At the time his background in football was just as important as his degree, but I doubt thats a pre-requisite anymore. [Post edited 22 Jan 15:41]
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My university runs an undergrad and masters in PA. Lots have gone on to successful careers!- https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/sportandhealthsciences/courses/Pages/Sport-Performa |  | | |
| Performance analysis in football on 16:03 - Jan 22 with 840 views | Marshalls_Mullet |
Not sure if you're trying to make a point, or just adding to my post? | |
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| Performance analysis in football on 16:08 - Jan 22 with 818 views | BlueSince93 |
Sorry, Marshalls_Mullet, I clicked reply to your post rather than the original post! | | | |
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| Performance analysis in football on 17:00 - Jan 22 with 735 views | ReusersTown |
| Performance analysis in football on 13:37 - Jan 22 by cartface07 |
I used to work as a performance analyst for Fulham, a little while back now. Will try to answer some of your q's...
It's hard to get into - most people start off doing internships for very low wages (mainly because there's a lot of people out there who would do it for free). I got into it through Uni, I studied Sports Science and Statistics, as well as doing voluntary work for non league clubs around my area to build experience.
The career itself is tough - it doesn't pay well until you are much later in your career, the hours are brutal and there's a lot of pressure, especially when the club isn't doing well. I was at Fulham during the times when they bounced up and down between Prem and Champ - Prem time was amazing, relegation was not fun.
I ultimately left because I couldn't afford being in London on the salary I was on - people who were quite a lot senior to me in my department were on about 30k, and I wanted to chase the money in a different career more. (I appreciate this is a decent salary, however working/living around Fulham it does not go far)
Having said that, I look back on my time fondly and I wish it was a career with better financial prospects - if money isn't an issue for you, then you'd love it. Also the guy who I worked with at a non-league club is now a Lead Analyst for Liverpool, so there is opportunity there. He has a PhD and about 10 years exp behind him now, as well as being one of the most driven people I've come across. [Post edited 22 Jan 13:45]
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That's a great insight, thanks! | | | |
| Performance analysis in football on 18:05 - Jan 22 with 656 views | cartface07 |
| Performance analysis in football on 15:40 - Jan 22 by Marshalls_Mullet |
A lad I went to school with was probably one of the first to get into this.
He had sports related degree, and had done a scholarship at a professional club from the age of 16-18 so was a good footballer.
Straight from Uni he joined Prozone and was contracted / seconded to Chelsea. Worked his way up to Head of Performance analysis and has just joined England.
He got in at exactly the right time before it became super competitive, and probably before it was really 'a thing'. At the time his background in football was just as important as his degree, but I doubt thats a pre-requisite anymore. [Post edited 22 Jan 15:41]
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A background in professional football isn’t important, but a good understanding of the tactical side of football is - this was quite a big part of the interview process, showing demonstrated evidence of being able to tactically analyse football to a deep level | |
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