In recent years, football analysis has become one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing fields in the game. Modern clubs rely heavily on analysts to support coaching decisions, recruitment, and match preparation. Yet for many aspiring professionals, the path to becoming a football analyst still feels unclear.
This guide breaks down exactly how to get started — from learning the foundations of analysis to developing a professional portfolio and building a career in the industry.
1. Understand What a Football Analyst Actually Does
Before trying to become one, it’s crucial to understand what the role involves. A football analyst is responsible for studying the game in detail — using video, data, and tactical understanding to provide insights that improve team performance.
There are different types of analysts, such as:
- Performance Analysts – Analyze their own team’s matches and training to support coaches.
- Opposition Analysts – Study upcoming opponents and prepare detailed tactical reports.
- Match Analysts – Focus on tactical structures, patterns, and overall team performance.
All of these roles share a common foundation: observation, tactical knowledge, and communication. An analyst doesn’t just collect information — they make sense of it and explain it clearly to coaches or decision-makers.
2. Build a Strong Tactical Understanding
Everything in football analysis starts with understanding the game tactically. You must learn how and why teams move, press, and create space.
To develop this understanding:
- Study formations and systems (4-2-3-1, 3-5-2, 4-4-2, etc.).
- Learn about principles of play: width, depth, compactness, rest-defence, positional play, etc.
- Analyze transitions – how teams attack and defend when possession changes.
- Compare different tactical ideas from coaches like Guardiola, Klopp, or De Zerbi.
When watching matches, don’t just focus on the ball. Pay attention to spacing, movement off the ball, and the relationships between players. Pause and ask:
- What structure is the team using in possession?
- What pressing triggers do they use?
- How do they create overloads or free players?
Developing this tactical eye is the foundation of every good analyst.
3. Learn to Use Video and Data Tools
Modern football analysis relies on both qualitative (video) and quantitative (data) methods. Understanding how to use each effectively is essential.
Video Analysis
Video is the backbone of football analysis. Every professional analyst learns to study footage, tag events, and build clips that reveal tactical patterns.
Start with the basics: learn to code matches, mark key timestamps, and categorize actions such as “high press,” “wide overload,” or “cut-back situation.” Doing this systematically helps you spot patterns across several matches rather than relying on isolated moments.
If you want to take your work to a professional level, using a telestration and tactical presentation tool can make a big difference. Once Sport is one of the most advanced and user-friendly platforms available for this purpose. It allows you to annotate footage, visualize tactical movements, and create high-quality analysis clips for presentations or online sharing.
We’ve partnered with Once Sport to offer The Football Analyst community 10% off + 1 month free — use code TFA10 at checkout.
Even without professional software, you can still train your eye by studying match footage carefully. Pause at key moments, note player positioning, distances, and timing, and write short tactical summaries. The tool is only as powerful as the analyst using it — the most important thing is to learn how to see the game clearly and explain it simply.
Data Analysis
While tactical insight comes from watching, data helps quantify patterns. Learn to interpret metrics like:
- Possession Value and Expected Goals (xG)
- Pressing intensity (PPDA)
- Passing networks or progressive passes
Tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or even Python can help you visualize data. But always remember — data should support your tactical understanding, not replace it.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice
The most important part of becoming a football analyst is actually analyzing. You only improve by doing.
Choose matches to analyze regularly — it could be Premier League, youth football, or even local amateur games. Try to:
- Write pre-match reports predicting what might happen.
- Create post-match analyses identifying key patterns.
- Focus on one tactical theme per report at the start (pressing, build-up, attacking width, etc.).
When you practice consistently, you’ll start to develop an analytical “eye” — noticing details others overlook.
Remember: the quality of your analysis doesn’t come from fancy graphics or jargon, but from clarity and insight. Avoid vague statements like “they are good in possession” and instead explain why they are good and what they do that makes them good.
5. Build a Portfolio of Your Work
In football analysis, your work is your CV. Clubs, academies, and media outlets want to see evidence of your ability to analyze.
Create a portfolio that includes:
- Tactical reports on matches or teams
- Video breakdowns or short presentations
- Data reports or visualizations
- Articles or blog posts (you can publish them on platforms like Medium, Substack, or even your own website)
Having your own online platform — like The Football Analyst — can be a huge advantage. It allows you to showcase your work publicly and build a personal brand.
6. Network and Get Real Experience
Once you’ve built a foundation, start looking for real-world opportunities. Football is a relationship-driven industry — people hire people they trust and know.
Ways to get experience include:
- Volunteering at local clubs, helping coaches with video or data analysis
- Internships at academies or universities
- Collaborating online with other analysts on projects or tactical breakdowns
- Attending coaching and analysis conferences
When reaching out to clubs, be specific and professional. Instead of saying “I want to help,” show them what you can offer — for example, a short analysis of one of their games.
7. Understand Coaching and Communication
The best analysts don’t just see the game — they understand how to communicate their insights effectively to coaches and players.
Developing a basic coaching background can massively improve your analysis. It helps you see the game from the manager’s perspective — what information matters most, and how to deliver it clearly.
Many analysts hold coaching badges (such as UEFA B or C licenses), which also strengthens your CV. But even without formal qualifications, working closely with coaches and observing training sessions can give you the same practical understanding.
8. Be Patient and Keep Improving
Breaking into football analysis takes time. The competition is high, and opportunities can be limited — especially at the beginning.
However, those who succeed are the ones who stay patient, consistent, and obsessed with learning. Keep improving your tactical knowledge, writing, and technical skills. Follow professional analysts, study how they present their work, and keep refining your own style.
The key is to remember that every report, every match watched, and every failure to get noticed is still progress. The more you practice, the sharper your eye and the stronger your portfolio will become.
Conclusion
Becoming a football analyst isn’t about luck or having elite connections — it’s about persistence, curiosity, and practice. Learn the game deeply, study both video and data, build a portfolio that proves your ability, and take every opportunity to apply your skills in real settings.
There’s no single pathway into analysis, but there’s one thing every successful analyst has in common: they never stop learning and they never stop analyzing.