Investing in young players and having a clear game model is crucial for Norwich City's scouting and recruitment efforts.
Balancing data analysis with human judgment and personal relationships is key in football scouting.
Deep dives
Head of Emerging Talent at Norwich City
Maryella Nissotaki discusses her role as the head of emerging talent at Norwich City, which involves scouting players between the ages of 17 and 21. She explains the importance of investing in young players and how Norwich has a history of developing emerging talent. Nissotaki also discusses her journey from growing up in Greece, studying sports science and physical education, and gaining experience in coaching, scouting, and analysis before joining Norwich City. She emphasizes the significance of having a clear game model and structure within the club to guide their recruitment and scouting efforts.
Being the Only Female Scout
Nissotaki opens up about being the only female scout in English football and shares her experiences and background in sports. She discusses growing up in Athens, playing various sports, and being naturally drawn to team sports. She explains her decision to specialize in football during university and pursuing a master's degree in sports performance analysis. Nissotaki reflects on playing the Football Manager video game and her passion for studying football players from a young age. She highlights the importance of education, encouraging more women to enter the field, and being confident in your abilities.
The Role of Data and Human Judgment
Nissotaki discusses the balance between data and human judgment in scouting and recruitment. She acknowledges the valuable insights that data can provide but emphasizes the need to interpret and contextualize the data correctly. According to her, combining data analysis with first-hand scouting and observation is crucial to make informed decisions. She believes that data and technology should be used to enhance efficiency rather than replacing the human element. Nissotaki also emphasizes the importance of personal relationships, networking, and establishing connections in scouting.
The Impact of Brexit and Changing Recruitment Strategies
Nissotaki touches upon the impact of Brexit on the recruitment process, particularly in relation to the age group of 17 to 21-year-olds. While acknowledging the challenges it posed, she sees it as an opportunity to explore new markets outside of Europe. She discusses Norwich City's shift in focusing on markets like South America and mentions their efforts to adapt and find new opportunities in the changing landscape. Nissotaki stresses the need for adaptability, creativity, and open-mindedness when scouting and recruiting players in the post-Brexit era.
Mariela Nisotaki is Norwich City's Head of Emerging Talent and the only female scout on the circuit in the UK.
In Episode #34 of the TGG Podcast, Nisotaki tells Simon Austin how she balances data and human eyes, about Norwich's ambitions and what it's like to be a female pioneer in football recruitment.
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