JOBS IN FOOTBALL: MATCH ANALYST IN THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

 

Who should get the credit when a goal is scored? Obviously the striker who applied the finishing touch gains the plaudits for their vision, movement and technique. The player whose insightful pass cut open the defence will have their assist rightly recognised. The coach who spent time on the training pitch honing the skills of their players will feel a sense of satisfaction. Anyone else? Well perhaps the Match Analyst who provided the analysis of the opponent’s weaknesses can feel that they too played a hand in the goal.

Jamie Roberts, Match Analyst at Premier League’s Wigan FC explains his role at the club and provides an insight in to what it takes to help the team gain success on the pitch.

 

Name:  Jamie Roberts

Position:  Match Analyst at Wigan Athletic FC

Job Description:  It is the Match Analyst’s job to provide the manager and coaching team with both statistical and video analysis of the opposition pre match, and their own team during the match and following it.

A Typical Week in the Life of a Match Analyst:  In the early part of the week I will focus initially on post match analysis from the previous weekend’s game.  Following that, I’ll complete my pre match pack for that weekend’s game which provides the manager and coaching staff with video and statistical analysis of the opposition.

Towards the back end of the week I will begin preparing for the following week’s game and also use this time for any ad-hoc work such as motivational dvds for players or further analysis requests on the work I’ve already done.

On matchday I like to be at the ground at least 2 hours before kick-off.  Once the team arrive I will meet with the coaching staff to check that they have all information that they need, and following that get set up on the gantry with our club cameraman to record the first half for half time analysis of key events with the coaching staff.  Immediately following the game I have a quick debrief with the manager to give him certain statistics from the game.

Advice to young people interesting in becoming a Match Analyst

Qualifications:  There is no industry standard qualification for this job.  Any sports based qualification will obviously help.

Experience:  Experience at a club is difficult to come by, and is generally gained on a voluntary basis.  Computer software skills are massively important and easier to gain.

Personal qualities:  You have to be willing to live and breathe the job.  It can quite literally take over your life at times and work you to the point of exhaustion.  However, I can’t think of many jobs that are as rewarding.

 

For more information and advice on the range of possible jobs in sport visit www.careers-in-sport.co.uk