The two analysis roles in football

Most people think football analysis is just about watching clips and pointing things out.

But inside the club, it’s a lot more specific than that.
In fact, there are two very different types of analysts – and the day-to-day work doesn’t really overlap.

Here’s how it breaks down.

The Performance Analyst

This is the role most people think of first.

The performance analyst works with the team. Think: First Team Analyst at Liverpool. Their job is to break down everything happening within their own side – how the team is playing, how they’re progressing, and how well they’re sticking to the manager’s game model.

But it’s not just about internal review.

Most performance analysts are also responsible for opposition analysis. That means prepping detailed breakdowns of upcoming opponents: their shape, patterns, threats, and tendencies. These insights are turned into pre-game presentations, often using telestration tools and software like Hudl Sportscode. The goal? Equip the coaching staff and players with actionable visuals and strategy cues.

Then, after the match, they do it again – this time to review what actually happened.

During the game, responsibilities vary by club.
Some analysts are up in the gantry coding in real time. Others are feeding clips straight to the bench via live link, helping with tactical decisions mid-match.

And it’s not just first teams. In academies, performance analysts zoom in on individual development – often with a more tailored focus on player progress, rather than full-team or opposition reviews.

So in short: performance analysts are embedded in the footballing process. They help coaches and players see the game more clearly – before, during, and after each match.

The Recruitment Analyst

Where the performance analyst focuses on what’s happening now, the recruitment analyst is thinking ahead.

Their job is to analyse potential signings.

This includes watching players across leagues and levels, building long lists and short lists that fit the club’s game model. Often, these analysts are working with tools like Wyscout or InStat for video scouting, and using data platforms to create player profiles and comparisons.

At more advanced clubs, recruitment analysts might even build custom metrics using Python or R – to rank players against internal benchmarks, not just league averages.

Then come the presentations.

Dossiers. Data visualisations. Player packs. These are shared with heads of recruitment, coaching staff, and sporting directors – all with one goal: to decide who’s worth targeting next window.

Some recruitment analysts also do traditional scouting.
Live games. Written reports. First-hand notes on attitude, decision-making, and off-ball movement – the things you don’t always see on tape.

So while performance analysts look inward, recruitment analysts are looking outward.
Both roles demand clarity, context, and an understanding of what good looks like – but they serve very different parts of the football machine.

A Quick Recap

• Performance Analyst: Works with the team (or academy). Prepares match analysis, opposition reports, tactical videos, and supports live games.
• Recruitment Analyst: Works on player scouting. Uses data and video to identify targets, then builds and presents scouting reports to decision-makers.

Both roles matter.
But knowing the difference is what makes you valuable in either.