The Evolution of the Scouting Process
In the European football market, the scouting process is a crucial element for the success of clubs, as it allows them to identify new talents and acquire them at a lower cost before other teams. In recent years, the combination of traditional scouting methods with technological advancements has revolutionized this sector. In the past, the scouting process was significantly different from today, and technology did not have the same impact and importance as it does now. Clubs relied on scouts who were willing to travel extensively across the world to observe players and compile reports based on live match performances in various regions, from Africa to North America. This process posed several challenges for clubs, as it required a large number of scouts stationed globally, as well as significant financial resources. For medium and small clubs, such extensive scouting was almost impossible due to financial constraints. In recent years, things have changed drastically, with more clubs transitioning from traditional scouting methods to a technology-driven approach. Various platforms and software have been developed to assist clubs and scouts in identifying and evaluating new players. These platforms provide direct access to the statistics and videos of thousands of players worldwide, allowing scouts and clubs to analyze them remotely without the need for extensive travel. One such platform is ScoutDecision. These technological advancements have helped clubs save time and money while also enabling them to discover players faster than before, gaining a competitive edge over rival teams. Not only have big clubs benefited from these innovations, but medium and small clubs have also taken advantage of them, allowing them to identify young talents and sell them in the future for a high price. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has also begun to play a role in the scouting process, with various programs using AI to track player movements and generate analytical clips and statistics based on performance. In conclusion, the scouting process is in constant evolution, with clubs adopting different strategies based on their capabilities and objectives. The integration of traditional methods with advanced technologies, such as big data analytics and artificial intelligence, is redefining how talent is discovered and evaluated. This gives a competitive advantage to those who can innovate and adapt quickly to new industry trends.
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
