Phil Giles: Staying ahead of the curve at Brentford
Jan 13, 2022
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Phil Giles, Director of Football for Brentford talks about their first season in the Premier League, use of specialist coaches, and reopening their Academy. They discuss the importance of mathematics in football, evaluating team performance, club's innovation with limited resources, decision making based on probabilities, and the financial situation of Brentford football club. They also explore the impact of COVID on spending and capitalizing on player performance.
Utilizing data analysis and mathematical predictions has played a crucial role in improving Brentford's performance and predicting match outcomes.
By implementing specialist coaches and focusing on data analysis, Brentford has been able to enhance team performance and develop a unique playing style.
Deep dives
Phil Giles' Career in Football and Mathematical Background
In this podcast episode, Brentford Director of Football, Phil Giles, discusses his career in football and how his mathematical background played a role in his journey. Giles explains that his career started in a betting company, where he used mathematical analysis to predict outcomes of games. Eventually, he joined Brentford and worked closely with owner Matthew Benham on using data analysis to predict future match results and improve the team's performance.
Splitting Responsibilities and Collaboration
Giles reveals that as the Director of Football, he is responsible for managing the entire football department, including performance, medical analysis, recruitment, and more. He emphasizes the importance of recruiting good staff members and allowing them to focus on their specific roles. Giles and owner Matthew Benham have a collaborative approach, exchanging ideas and being open to new suggestions. He also discusses how their recruitment process emphasizes diversity and looks for the best candidates from a wide range of backgrounds.
Innovations in Brentford Football Club
The episode highlights some of the innovations implemented at Brentford Football Club. Giles discusses their use of specialist coaches, such as a throwing coach and a set-piece coach, who have helped improve team performance. He also mentions the use of data analysis to assess the team's playing style and track underlying performance rather than solely focusing on results. Additionally, Giles talks about the strategic decision to close the academy in 2016 to focus on achieving promotion. He explains that this allowed them to prioritize recruiting and developing players who were closer to the first team.
Reflections on the Premier League Season and Future Ambitions
Giles reflects on Brentford's performance in the Premier League season, highlighting their competitive nature and the challenges they have faced due to injuries and COVID-19. He expresses his satisfaction with the progress they have made and emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement. Giles remains focused on developing Brentford as a club and keeps an open mind about their future ambitions. He dismisses rumors linking him to other clubs and underscores his commitment to the ongoing journey with Brentford.