Reflections on working at the biggest clubs in world football with Jack Nayler

Sep 21, 2023

Jack Nayler, Head of Sports Science at Everton FC and with 10 years of experience at Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, Celtic and Everton, reflects on working with players at top football clubs. He emphasizes the importance of trusting players with an innate understanding of their bodies and the significance of communication and observation. Nayler also discusses the pressures faced by famous players and the role of ego in success. He explores the challenges faced by sports scientists at big clubs and the focus on winning games. Throughout, he highlights the dedication and professionalism of players like Ronaldo, Modric, and Ramos.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Introducing Jack Nayler and his experience at Chelsea Football Club

02:27 • 3min

Personal and Professional Impact

05:09 • 26min

Realities and Challenges of Working at Top Football Clubs

31:30 • 4min

Reflections on Imposter Syndrome and Working at Top Football Clubs

35:24 • 6min

The Role of a Sports Scientist in Winning Games

41:20 • 21min

Reflections on Working at Top Football Clubs

01:02:18 • 4min

In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Head of Sports Science at Everton FC, Jack Nayler. Jack comes on the podcast having spent the last 10 years at Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, Celtic and Everton. An incredible CV that many in the industry would love to have. So we dive into what he has learnt from working at these huge clubs with the huge players that play for them.

Jack reflects on his experiences working with players, noting that some have an innate understanding of their bodies and their limits. He believes it's essential to recognize and trust those players who have this insight. Jack also underscores the importance of communication, teaching players to understand their bodies better, and always being observant.

He recounts his time with Alvaro Arbeloa at Real Madrid, emphasizing Arbeloa's exceptional drive and commitment to training even when not in the starting lineup. Jack admires such players for their unwavering motivation, even if they don't possess the same natural talent as others.

Moreover, Jack touches upon the psychological aspect, mentioning how players, despite their fame and success, still face significant pressures and stresses. He believes it's crucial to understand and address these stresses to optimize performance. He also discusses the presence of ego in some players, viewing it as a factor that often contributes to their success.

In Jack's perspective, footballers operate on a level of talent and drive far beyond most people's experiences, and to work effectively with them, one has to approach them at their level instead of expecting them to come down.

Main talking points:

Complex systems when working in football
Individual player's influence on game outcomes
Some players have innate body understanding and limits
Importance of communication and player-body understanding emphasized
Alvaro Arbeloa's dedication and drive at Real Madrid
Psychological pressures and stresses in professional players discussed
Ego in players contributes to their success sometimes