Why You Should Keep a Scouted Players Database
Whether you are a scout, coach, agent or sports director, there are 6 reasons why you should have a football players watchlist. In football, you never know when you’ll be made redundant – or “sacked” in football jargon. It’s very easy for the top-management to blame someone else for short-term failures. And heads will roll… Independently of who you are, you should create your player list because: 1. You are more valuable Future employers, be it clubs, academies, colleges or agencies will want to know what you bring to the table. Your knowledge is the number one reason the conversation starts in the first place. But what extras do you bring? Maybe some great connections with South American agents or Ghanaian academies? Why not a portfolio of players ready to deploy and hire to fix the current squad’s shortcomings? That is the strategy stellar scouts use. Alongside their jobs, the best scouts always keep their database of players updated just in case. And so do many coaches. 2. Unfair advantage While your competitors are running around at the start of the season because their Striker just left, You already have a shortlist of 3 players to replace your recently injured Centre-back. That will transmit emotional stability and let your staff focus on what really matters – winning the next match. 3. Self-esteem and self-confidence Having a fail-safe plan will give you the natural confidence that comes with knowing you can make mistakes. After all, you have your own database that you maintain without external help. So, you must at least be good at it. 4. Keeps you in the habit of watching football Even when you are not working Or if you are just stuffed with emails and paperwork during week days Having to watch football matches to keep your player shortlist up to date, will keep you in the loop of watching and thinking football. 5. Gives you a headstart When you find a new role, you are not waiting for your President, Sports Director or Chief Scout to tell you how to fill in the gaps in your team. You bring your own contacts, your own players, your own view And can actually start recruiting for certain positions faster. 6. Nurturing relationships Humans are not very rational beings and tend to trust their instincts more than their brains. And for a good reason, right? We are still alive. Therefore, creating strong relationships with players you have on your watchlist is key. One day, you might want to hire them, and they might even have a better offer from another club. But who do they trust the most? Maybe that hire will make the difference between a successful season… … and a terrible one. If you’d like to try out a software that would simplify creating and updating your players database and scout reports, check our current special offer.
P.S. For 2 months, the ScoutDecision team collected testimonials from scouts in our network about their jobs, the tools they use, etc. Now you can read the results for free here: Football Scouting Survey 2024
