Lead Tactical Analyst

Job title: First Team Lead Tactical Analyst

Department: Performance Analysis

Based at: BRFC Senior Training Centre, Brockhall Village, Old Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8FA. Flexibility regarding location is required.

Reports to: Reports directly to the Head of Performance Analysis & the Technical Development and collaborates closely with the First Team Coach, coaching staff, and Data Science department.

Responsible for: Performance Analysis Department

Hours of work: A minimum of 40 hours per week plus any additional hours necessary. This will include regular evening and weekend work.

Contractual Status: Permanent

Job purpose: To lead and manage the tactical analysis within the club. To provide key insights into the senior coaching staff in order to enhance provision quality. This role is essential to ensuring that Blackburn Rovers FC remains at the forefront of tactical analysis and player development, contributing to the success of the First Team and club academy development.

2. Duties and responsibilities

1. Football Insights and Match Preparation

• Provide tactical insights that align with the club’s philosophy and game model.
• Utilize both visual and data-driven analysis to support coaching decisions.
• Collaborate with the First Team Coaching staff to ensure a shared vision of the game, delivering clarity in analytical outputs.
• Develop pre-match, live, and post-match analysis in collaboration with coaching staff.
• Travel with the First Team to all matches, including live coding during games.
• Record and analyse training sessions, producing actionable insights for coaches and players based around key objectives.

2. Strategic Leadership and Department Management

• Assist and progress the club’s performance analysis strategy at First Team/U21 and Academy levels.
• Work closely with Head Coach & Head of Technical Development to align analysis processes with the club’s strategic goals.
• Lead and manage the tactical analysis, fostering a multi-disciplinary approach.

3. Game Model Development

• Collaborate with the Data Scientist to analyse the implementation and effectiveness of the club’s game model.
• Build a comprehensive library of best practices, including tactical insights and methodologies.
• Update technical and tactical statistical databases to reflect the club’s evolving philosophy.

4. Player and Staff Engagement

• Deliver individual and group analysis sessions to players, tailored to their development needs.
• Develop motivational and supportive materials for match preparation.
• Support coaching staff by providing detailed documentation and resources.

5. Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Stay informed of advancements in analytical techniques, platforms, and technologies.
• Explore new innovations to enhance the department’s output and performance.
• Learn and adapt to new IT equipment and analysis tools.
• Work towards publication of 2x tactical based/performance analysis based peer reviewed papers per season as part of the clubs research program.

6. Administrative and Operational Duties

• Ensure all analysis equipment is maintained and updated, liaising with relevant providers for new tools when required.
• Manage the department’s data storage, ensuring backups of all analysis presentations and documentation.
• Oversee work placement students, creating structured tasks to support their learning and development.
• Liaise with external analysis providers such as Hudl and Opta for services and updates.

7. Safeguarding and Professional Standards

• Promote the welfare and safeguarding of all elite players while maintaining professional boundaries.

3. Skills required

• Strong understanding of football tactics and the ability to break down the game through the lens of the club’s playing philosophy.
• Competent with the following IT appliances; HUDL, SportsCode, WyScout, Coach Paint / Piero, IMPECT and Microsoft Office inc. PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
• Exceptional communication skills to deliver insights to players and coaching staff effectively.
• Experience managing a performance analysis department, with strong organizational skills.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and innovation in analysis techniques.
• Competent using video cameras and video capture equipment for the use of filming in wide-angle.

4. Knowledge required

• High level football tactical and technical understanding;
• Previous experience working in Performance Analysis within an elite senior football environment;
• Football coaching experience, or coaching analyst at senior level; and
• Sound knowledge of Mac and Windows-based operating systems.

5. Qualifications required

• Postgraduate degree in Sports Science / Sports Coaching (or equivalent) or a similar degree subject;
• Management related qualification (desirable);
• UEFA A (requirement or working towards);
• Valid UK Driving Licence (desirable).

DBS check required: Yes (enhanced)

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