The Chris Gill Podcast

Head of VIDEO ANALYSIS at Seattle Sounders FC - John Elsenbast #72This video is sponsored by In-Play Online! Tag and analyse your sports videos like the professionals. All from just £10/month!Check it out here: https://in-playsports.com/software/individuals Use code YOUTUBE for an extra 10% discount!◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️John Elsenbast is the head of video analysis at MLS side, Seattle Sounders. In this conversation I ask John about his route into analysis, but then we dive deeper into his daily roles and responsibilities. This includes pre-match preparations, presenting analysis to coaches and players, and how a match day really looks for an analyst in the MLS.If you want to hear more from MLS analysis, check out the other episodes linked below!(and don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already)0:00 – Introduction2:21 – John joins and shares how he got into analysis9:43 – MLS teams hiring analysts from overseas15:06 – Should analysts have coaching experiences?18:56 – Working with the USMNT U20 squad24:49 – Moving from academy analyst to first team30:49 – The current Seattle coaching team36:20 – Where does data fit into the club?40:19 – An average week for John45:37 – Debriefing with players and coaches49:22 – Match days John (setting up, half time etc.)54:29 – Away games and travel58:19 – Delivering presentations to players1:01:55 – Future analysis trends and changes to US soccer (promotion/relegation)1:08:37 – Book recommendations, Johns baking, wrap upBooks MentionedThe Football Hackers: https://amzn.to/4j4fSO8How to win the Premier League: https://amzn.to/3FVasXhSoccer under the Swastika: https://amzn.to/42pog53Related EpisodesSam Gregory (US Soccer): https://youtu.be/x-aDJXkYOOEHarry Jamieson (San Diego): https://youtu.be/_r0u-jZmkpsScott Madle (Cincinnati): https://youtu.be/N0pNiRmPUPwSam Green (LA Galaxy): https://youtu.be/WLKPLpTmtMcLucy Rushton (DC United): https://youtu.be/9tPdnQJ-Vl8#mls #seattlesounders #mlsanalysis #soccer #socceranalytics #videoanalysis◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️CONNECT WITH ME🌎 Website: https://www.chris-gill.com 👨🏼‍💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgilluk/ 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZocCdjxjdVJZjO4UNNNew 🆇 X/Twitter: https://x.com/chrisgill_UK FREE RESOURCES📋 Football CV Template – https://cvtemplate.chris-gill.com/download 📝 Cover Letter Template - https://coverletter.chris-gill.com/download 📚 Ultimate list of sports analysis/coaching books - https://books.chris-gill.com/download PAID RESOURCES🐍 Learn PYTHON for football analysis – https://courses.mckayjohns.com/courses/football-analytics-course?ref=3f7c5c ⚽️ Football Analysis Education (Gill10 for 10% off) – https://apfa.io/course/ref/chrisgill_UK/ 📊 Become a data analyst with Data Camp: https://datacamp.pxf.io/WqBZGA

Sports Analytics & working with BILLY BEANE (Moneyball!) - Bill Gerrard #71 This video is sponsored by In-Play Online! Tag and analyse your sports videos like the professionals. All from just £10/month!Check it out here: https://in-playsports.com/software/individuals Use code YOUTUBE for an extra 10% discount!◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️Bill Gerrard has been involved in sports analytics for about as long as I have been alive and so it was a real pleasure to welcome him onto the channel for a chat.Originally from an economics background, Bill has gone on to be a teaching professor and spend time working in elite football and rugby. He even tells the story of how he was first introduced to the story of Moneyball, and then went on to eventually work with Billy Beane!A fantastic conversation about some of Bill's experiences spanning the last 30 or so years in elite sport!0:00 - Introduction2:13 - Bill joins and gives background8:58 - Working as an economist, transitioning to sport, transfer analysis25:19 - Interest from football clubs?29:20 - Football squad valuations & player rating system41:50 - Getting introduced to 'Moneyball' and then working with Billy Beane48:24 - Sporting efficiency 53:31 - Charles Reep (analysis pioneer) and the 'Reep Fallacy'1:01:19 - Working with Arne Slot at AZ Alkmaar1:18:43 - Advice for aspiring analysts, mentors1:35:19 - Book recommendations, wrap up◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️CONNECT WITH ME🌎 Website: https://www.chris-gill.com 👨🏼‍💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgilluk/ 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZocCdjxjdVJZjO4UNNNew 🆇 X/Twitter: https://x.com/chrisgill_UK FREE RESOURCES📋 Football CV Template – https://cvtemplate.chris-gill.com/download 📝 Cover Letter Template - https://coverletter.chris-gill.com/download 📚 Ultimate list of sports analysis/coaching books - https://books.chris-gill.com/download PAID RESOURCES🐍 Learn PYTHON for football analysis – https://courses.mckayjohns.com/courses/football-analytics-course?ref=3f7c5c ⚽️ Football Analysis Education (Gill10 for 10% off) – https://apfa.io/course/ref/chrisgill_UK/ 📊 Become a data analyst with Data Camp: https://datacamp.pxf.io/WqBZGA

Yannick Euvrard, a set-piece coach and analyst at R.S.C. Anderlecht, shares insights from his unique journey in football. He discusses the importance of attacking versus defensive strategies, revealing how he balances both roles on match day. Yannick also delves into the intricate details of preparing set pieces, utilizing data analytics for better performance, and the evolving trends in set plays. With a wealth of experience from the Belgian FA and his current role, he emphasizes the growing need for specialized coaches in today's game.

What it's REALLY like being a football scout & sporting director - Joe Savage #69This video is sponsored by In-Play Online! Tag and analyse your sports videos like the professionals. All from just £10/month!Check it out here: https://in-playsports.com/software/individuals Use code YOUTUBE for an extra 10% discount!◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️For this episode we are joined by Joe Savage for a deep dive into the role of the sporting director in football and all things scouting and recruitment.Joe's last role was sporting director at Scottish football club Hearts, and before that he was head of recruitment at Preston North End, and chief scout at Norwich City.We discuss Joe's journey in football, some of his experiences when it comes to building out a recruitment team, working on transfers and overseeing multiple aspects of a football club. 0:00 - Introduction2:32 - Joe joins and gives background5:37 - Getting into scouting14:15 - Scouting reports and advice for scouts24:50 - Moving to Norwich FC as chief scout29:20 - Scouting with different budgets (premier league/championship)34:48 - Difference between chief scout and head of recruitment41:51 - Joe's transition to be a sporting director46:06 - The role of a sporting director53:35 - Learning from others in similar roles57:23 - Setting up a recruitment department1:02:15 - Competing with other clubs for signings1:06:27 - What a recruitment meeting is like, having options1:15:40 - Agreeing personal terms, contract negotiations1:21:19 - Challenges as a sporting director, knowing when to move on1:28:47 - Increase in analytics, Jamestown Analytics1:32:19 - Co-sporting directors & assistant sporting directors1:35:08 - Advice for aspiring sporting directors1:39:31 - Wrap up, book/podcast recommendations, what's next for JoeRelated EpisodesMark Cartwright (Sporting Director): https://youtu.be/TCb8L9vRxbwChris Robinson (Scout): https://youtu.be/asDWXXVaKxkLiam Henshaw (Data Scout): https://youtu.be/Wbd_BmceRJsBook RecommendationsDexter Series: https://amzn.to/4aSdcA4Game of Thrones: https://amzn.to/3WOJjLa #heartsfc #sportingdirector #scouting #football #talentid◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️CONNECT WITH ME🌎 Website: https://www.chris-gill.com 👨🏼‍💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgilluk/ 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZocCdjxjdVJZjO4UNNNew 🆇 X/Twitter: https://x.com/chrisgill_UK FREE RESOURCES📋 Football CV Template – https://cvtemplate.chris-gill.com/download 📝 Cover Letter Template - https://coverletter.chris-gill.com/download 📚 Ultimate list of sports analysis/coaching books - https://books.chris-gill.com/download PAID RESOURCES🐍 Learn PYTHON for football analysis – https://courses.mckayjohns.com/courses/football-analytics-course?ref=3f7c5c ⚽️ Football Analysis Education (Gill10 for 10% off) – https://apfa.io/course/ref/chrisgill_UK/ 📊 Become a data analyst with Data Camp: https://datacamp.pxf.io/WqBZGA

Setting up a data department at Sunderland AFC - James Young #68This video is sponsored by In-Play Online! Tag and analyse your sports videos like the professionals. All from just £10/month!Check it out here: https://in-playsports.com/software/individuals Use code YOUTUBE for an extra 10% discount!◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️James Young is currently head of sports partnerships and data and tech company, Genius Sports. Before that, he was recruited by Sunderland AFC to set up and manage a new data analytics department.Starting with a degree in mechanical engineering, James always had the goal of working in sport. From biomechanics, to publishing, he then headed up the Performance Analytics division at Deloitte which is where he eventually left for Sunderland.After joining Sunderland (as one of the first hires under new owner, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus) they went on to gain promotion to the Championship and begin to rebuild in their pursuit of getting back to the Premier League. James helped integrate data into many aspects of the club including recruitment of players and head coaches.0:00 - Introduction2:09 - James joins and gives some background9:40 - Working as a biomechanist12:19 - Time out working in publishing 15:57 - Working at Stats Perform (Opta)22:22 - Joining Deloitte (Performance Analytics Division, The FA)30:10 - Joining Sunderland AFC43:14 - James opinion of Sunderland and the feeling around the club at the time46:41 - Getting promoted50:06 - How the other staff took to the data revolution54:23 - Aligning with the recruitment department59:52 - James' 5 'pillars' when working with data1:08:14 - External consultancies supporting clubs (Serios, Sports4Cast etc)1:14:07 - Head coach recruitment1:16:42 - Genius Sports (player tracking)1:19:43 - Any future predictions?1:24:31 - Advice for future analysts (specialist or generalist)1:28:37 - Working towards becoming a Sporting Director1:31:58 - Book recommendations, summary, wrap up#safc #sunderland #football #sportsanalytics #footballanalytics◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️CONNECT WITH ME🌎 Website: https://www.chris-gill.com 👨🏼‍💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgilluk/ 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZocCdjxjdVJZjO4UNNNew 🆇 X/Twitter: https://x.com/chrisgill_UK FREE RESOURCES📋 Football CV Template – https://cvtemplate.chris-gill.com/download 📝 Cover Letter Template - https://coverletter.chris-gill.com/download 📚 Ultimate list of sports analysis/coaching books - https://books.chris-gill.com/download PAID RESOURCES🐍 Learn PYTHON for football analysis – https://courses.mckayjohns.com/courses/football-analytics-course?ref=3f7c5c ⚽️ Football Analysis Education (Gill10 for 10% off) – https://apfa.io/course/ref/chrisgill_UK/ 📊 Become a data analyst with Data Camp: https://datacamp.pxf.io/WqBZGA

Mads Davidsen, an experienced football executive and coach, shares his journey as the Group Head of Football at Right to Dream, an impactful academy that started in Ghana. He discusses their innovative scouting methods, talent development strategies, and how they overcome local challenges in West Africa. Mads highlights the academy's expansion into MLS and the importance of aligning play styles across regions. He also delves into the vital role of a sporting director and offers tips for building a career in football.

Injuries are costing Premier League clubs MILLIONS! - Jason McKenna #66This video is sponsored by In-Play Online! Tag and analyse your sports videos like the professionals. All from just £10/month!Check it out here: https://in-playsports.com/software/individuals Use code YOUTUBE for an extra 10% discount!◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️Jason McKenna is a Premier League injury and performance analyst. He has worked in the media and consulted with various clubs and organisations on all things injuries.I found this to be a really interesting conversation where we dived into the true cost of injuries, what injury trends Jason is seeing from his data, AI and much more!Timestamps below for your convenience, and please subscribe and give the video a like if you enjoy!Any questions, leave a comment below...0:00 - Introduction1:46 - Jason joins and gives background4:29 - Whats stats does Jason use?11:45 - Injuries per 1k mins played15:33 - Premier League trends and type of injuries21:20 - Playing through injuries26:23 - Time spent injured and the costs involved37:10 - Medical staff and mental health44:36 - When do most injuries occur? 51:14 - More on AI, do kick off times matter?55:56 - Where can people learn more, summary & wrap upSome of Jason’s articles:The cost of injuries in the Premier League: https://analyticsfc.co.uk/blog/2024/07/18/the-cost-of-injuries-in-the-premier-league-2023-2024/Mental Health and Injuries: https://analyticsfc.co.uk/blog/2024/06/11/could-improved-mental-health-provision-speed-up-physical-recovery/Check out Premier Injuries: https://www.premierinjuries.com/ #premierleague #liverpool #mancity #arsenal #rodri #injury #injuryupdate ◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️CONNECT WITH ME🌎 Website: https://www.chris-gill.com 👨🏼‍💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgilluk/ 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZocCdjxjdVJZjO4UNNNew 🆇 X/Twitter: https://x.com/chrisgill_UK FREE RESOURCES📋 Football CV Template – https://cvtemplate.chris-gill.com/download 📝 Cover Letter Template - https://coverletter.chris-gill.com/download 📚 Ultimate list of sports analysis/coaching books - https://books.chris-gill.com/download PAID RESOURCES🐍 Learn PYTHON for football analysis – https://courses.mckayjohns.com/courses/football-analytics-course?ref=3f7c5c ⚽️ Football Analysis Education (Gill10 for 10% off) – https://apfa.io/course/ref/chrisgill_UK/ 📊 Become a data analyst with Data Camp: https://datacamp.pxf.io/WqBZGA

From INTERN at Scunthorpe Utd, to working in the MLS - Harry Jamieson #65This video is sponsored by In-Play Online! Tag and analyse your sports videos like the professionals. All from just £10/month!Check it out here: https://in-playsports.com/software/individuals Use code YOUTUBE for an extra 10% discount!◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️Harry Jamieson is currently head of player development at new MLS side, San Diego FC. Harry started his analysis career, back in the UK, as an intern at Scunthorpe United. After becoming head of analysis there, and spending 7 years at the club, he moved onto Rotherham United who were in the Championship at the time.From Rotherham, he made his big move to the MLS, firstly to Toronto FC, before joining his current club, San Diego.In this conversation we learn about Harrys journey and some of the experiences he has had along the way. We speak about working in the EFL with lots of games and very little resources.If you like the video, please consider subscribing!0:00 - Introduction2:09 - Harry joins, background, starting in analysis10:24 - Scunthorpe, moving up from an intern13:19 - The changing role of an analyst, data18:45 - Working in the EFL, low budgets and lots of travel22:45 - Rotherham Utd29:00 - Working with and learning from different managers35:15 - Internships and analyst salaries41:56 - Moving to Toronto50:50 - Analysis departments in MLS55:12 - Harrys new role at San Diego FC1:07:45 - Advice for other analysts1:10:25 - Wrap up, summary, book recommendationRelated EpisodesScott Madle: https://youtu.be/N0pNiRmPUPw Sam Green: https://youtu.be/WLKPLpTmtMc Lucy Rushton: https://youtu.be/9tPdnQJ-Vl8 Tom Corden: https://youtu.be/8S3vr823ysU Ewan Sharp: https://youtu.be/8aC01wQ_x-0 Book MentionedThe Last Lecture: https://amzn.to/3ZxPCDj ◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️CONNECT WITH ME🌎 Website: https://www.chris-gill.com 👨🏼‍💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgilluk/ 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZocCdjxjdVJZjO4UNNNew 🆇 X/Twitter: https://x.com/chrisgill_UK FREE RESOURCES📋 Football CV Template – https://cvtemplate.chris-gill.com/download 📝 Cover Letter Template - https://coverletter.chris-gill.com/download 📚 Ultimate list of sports analysis/coaching books - https://books.chris-gill.com/download PAID RESOURCES🐍 Learn PYTHON for football analysis – https://courses.mckayjohns.com/courses/football-analytics-course?ref=3f7c5c ⚽️ Football Analysis Education (Gill10 for 10% off) – https://apfa.io/course/ref/chrisgill_UK/ 📊 Become a data analyst with Data Camp: https://datacamp.pxf.io/WqBZGA

Why your football data NEEDS context! - Robert Rogers #64This video is sponsored by In-Play Online! Tag and analyse your sports videos like the professionals. All from just £10/month!Check it out here: https://in-playsports.com/software/individuals Use code YOUTUBE for an extra 10% discount!◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️Robert Rogers is the Head of English Football Operations for German based data company, Impect.Impect are known for their 'packing' data that essentially measures the number of opponents that are passed through with a specific action, such as a pass or dribble.In this conversation we talk about how important context is to football data, the changing role of the analyst and Rob even shares his screen to give a little insight into packing data.0:00 - Introduction1:48 - Rob joins and gives background5:18 - Work experience at Blackpool FC11:01 - The role of the analyst, how it has changed16:45 - Impect & Packing Data25:49 - Use cases and the amount of the data 29:42 - Different data providers, reliability33:31 - Expected Threat36:33 - The importance of context, screen share46:29 - Set Plays49:28 - Looking ahead in sports analytics42:07 - Advice for working in sport55:32 - Book recommendations, summary, can Rob speak German?Related EpisodesLiam Henshaw: https://youtu.be/Wbd_BmceRJsRob Suddaby: https://youtu.be/_92Y5fXwP-Q Tim Keech: https://youtu.be/v4FIxTP4sWU Stuart Reid: https://youtu.be/L26gDkvcCY0Books MentionedInverting the Pyramid: https://amzn.to/3YVUZw7 How to win the Premier League: https://amzn.to/48GcLrp Check out Impect: https://www.impect.com/en/ueber-uns/ ◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️◽️CONNECT WITH ME🌎 Website: https://www.chris-gill.com 👨🏼‍💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgilluk/ 🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZocCdjxjdVJZjO4UNNNew 🆇 X/Twitter: https://x.com/chrisgill_UK FREE RESOURCES📋 Football CV Template – https://cvtemplate.chris-gill.com/download 📝 Cover Letter Template - https://coverletter.chris-gill.com/download 📚 Ultimate list of sports analysis/coaching books - https://books.chris-gill.com/download PAID RESOURCES🐍 Learn PYTHON for football analysis – https://courses.mckayjohns.com/courses/football-analytics-course?ref=3f7c5c ⚽️ Football Analysis Education (Gill10 for 10% off) – https://apfa.io/course/ref/chrisgill_UK/ 📊 Become a data analyst with Data Camp: https://datacamp.pxf.io/WqBZGA

In this discussion, Andy Kirk, an independent data visualization expert, shares his journey from art and math to consulting for sports organizations like Arsenal. He defines data visualization as a key to uncovering patterns in data and outlines the three pillars of effective visuals: trustworthiness, accessibility, and elegance. Andy warns against common mistakes like unnecessary charts and poor color use. He also recommends tools for beginners and emphasizes the importance of storytelling, drawing inspiration from photography and journalism to enhance visual communication.