Modern Soccer Coach Podcast A Different Approach to Data! Analytics and Flying Birds with David Sumpter
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Jul 2, 2025 David Sumpter, a Professor and co-founder of Twelve, blends mathematics with soccer analytics. He explores how studying bird behavior relates to football tactics, highlighting the concept of self-organization on the pitch. The conversation dives into the evolution of data use in clubs like Liverpool and Brentford, emphasizing its impact on player recruitment and performance. Sumpter also reveals the challenges coaches face in utilizing data effectively and discusses how AI innovations could reshape sports analytics in the coming years.
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Analytics Linked to Club Success
- Using analytics correlates strongly with running a professional club, leading to success.
- Great examples like Liverpool combine advanced data with a well-organized club structure.
Environment Over Individual
- Success in data analytics depends on the collaborative environment, not just individual hires.
- Brentford's data success proves strong structure is key, not just star staff.
Self-Comparison for Player Growth
- Use data to develop players by comparing their performance to themselves, not others.
- Present performance distributions to help players reflect on and improve their own play.