Football Insights Academy Podcast

By Tom Butterfield & David Bromley

Welcome to The Football Insights Academy Podcast, the ultimate destination for football enthusiasts, aspiring analysts, scouts, and recruitment professionals who want to understand the beautiful game ... more

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FAQs about Football Insights Academy Podcast:

How many episodes does Football Insights Academy Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 124 episodes available.

Football Insights Academy Podcast episodes:

August 26, 2025 Ep23: The Steps of a Real Recruitment Process - Steps 9-11 and Ready For The War Room!
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Summary
In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the current football season's unpredictable start, delve into the recruitment process for football clubs, and introduce the upcoming War Room sessions.
They explore the importance of structured scouting, the role of video analysis, and the significance of the target matrix in player recruitment. The conversation emphasizes the need for clubs to focus on appropriate players rather than just good players, and the challenges faced in maintaining a competitive squad.
Useful Links
Join The War Room
Join the Free Beginners Course
Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.
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39min
August 21, 2025 Ep22: The Steps of a Real Recruitment Process - Steps 4-8
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Summary
In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the stages of the First 11 app workflow, focusing on player recruitment and data analysis. They discuss the importance of defining objectives, identifying playing styles, and specifying player roles.
The conversation highlights the integration of AI in scouting processes, the significance of key performance indicators, and the use of video analysis for player evaluation. The hosts emphasise the efficiency and effectiveness of modern recruitment methods, encouraging clubs to adapt and refine their strategies in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Useful Links
Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course
Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.
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35min
August 17, 2025 Ep21: Behind the Curtain: The First Steps of a Real Recruitment Process - Steps 1-3
Free Beginners Course
Summary
In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the intricacies of football recruitment and discussing the importance of defining clear recruitment objectives.
They explore the recruitment process using the first 3 steps of the 'First Eleven' process, emphasising the significance of understanding team playing styles and the role specifications needed for effective player evaluation.
The conversation highlights the balance between objective metrics and subjective insights in recruitment, ultimately aiming to improve decision-making in football clubs.
Useful Links
Free Beginners Course
Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.
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41min
August 11, 2025 Ep20: Inside the Machine – How Smart Clubs Build Player Shortlists in 2025
Free Beginners Course
Summary
In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the evolution of football tactics and the importance of structured recruitment processes.
They delve into the 11 stages of recruitment, emphasising the need for clear objectives, key performance indicators, and the role of AI in enhancing recruitment strategies. The conversation highlights the significance of defining team playing styles and the practical application of these strategies in real-world scenarios.
Takeaways
Football is becoming increasingly organised with structured tactics.
Set-piece coaches are now integral to team strategies.
A consistent and repeatable recruitment process leads to better results.
Defining clear objectives is crucial for effective recruitment.
AI can assist in specifying recruitment needs and objectives.
Understanding the team's playing style is essential for recruitment.
Role specification helps in identifying the right type of player.
Key performance indicators guide the evaluation of potential recruits.
Shortlisting candidates streamlines the recruitment process.
The target acquisition process ensures realistic player options.
Useful Links
Free Beginners Course
Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.
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43min
August 01, 2025 Ep19: Moving Away From Complex Chaos Towards Simple Clarity
Free Beginners Course
Summary
In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the evolving landscape of football recruitment.
They explore the typical recruitment setup in clubs, the importance of aligning recruitment with playing style, and the challenges of organising data effectively.
David introduces the concept of his 11-stage recruitment process (First XI) designed to bring clarity to the chaos of data and decision-making in football.
The episode concludes with a preview of the next episode, where they will delve deeper into the 11 stages.
Useful Links
Free Beginners Course
Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.
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Youtube Channel
...more
30min
June 20, 2025 Ep18: The Shadow Team Model: Training to Build Multi-Window Strategy
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Summary
In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the intricacies of football recruitment strategies.
They explore the importance of persistence in achieving success, the concept of a shadow team for future planning, and the tools necessary for effective player evaluation.
The conversation emphasises the need for a consistent recruitment system that can withstand personnel changes and the significance of aligning player strengths with team strategies.
Useful Links
Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course
Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.
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35min
June 13, 2025Ep17: The Thinking Behind the Shortlist — How to Justify Player Picks Like a Pro!
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Summary
In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss various aspects of football recruitment, including the challenges faced by players in international matches, the constraints that scouts encounter, and the importance of evaluating players from multiple perspectives.
They emphasise the need for a systematic approach to player evaluation and the necessity of understanding the different concerns of stakeholders within a football club. In this episode, David Bromley and Tom Butterfield delve into the intricacies of player recruitment in football. They discuss the importance of understanding role fit, behavioral evidence, and strategic fit when evaluating players.
The conversation emphasizes the need for a structured approach to recruitment, including anticipating challenges and preparing for future windows. The hosts also highlight the significance of aligning player selections with the club's philosophy and the necessity of ongoing analysis and adaptation in the recruitment process.
Takeaways
The mental pressure on players can affect their performance.
Constraints in recruitment include budget, playing style, and player age.
Evaluating players requires both technical analysis and live scouting.
Different stakeholders in a club have varying perspectives on player recruitment.
It's crucial to prepare for questions from decision-makers in recruitment discussions.
Player evaluations should be treated as case studies, not just lists.
Understanding the context of a player's performance is essential.
Consistency in evaluation criteria is key to effective recruitment.
The recruitment process involves balancing financial and performance considerations.
Every player signed represents an opportunity cost for the club. The role fit is crucial in player recruitment.
Behavioural evidence complements numerical data in evaluations.
Strategic fit aligns player choices with club philosophy.
Anticipating questions can strengthen recruitment arguments.
Preparation for recruitment challenges is essential.
Building a shadow team helps in long-term planning.
Self-imposed restrictions can clarify recruitment goals.
Understanding player behavior is as important as metrics.
Recruitment is a continuous process of improvement.
Effective communication with stakeholders is key in recruitment.

Useful Links
Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Course
Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.
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37min
June 08, 2025Ep16: Scouting with Constraints — How Real-World Limits Shape Smart Decisions
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Luis Enrique and Kylian Mbappe
Summary
In this episode, hosts David Bromley and Tom Butterfield discuss the dynamics of their podcast, personal updates, and the impact of technology on traditional roles. They delve into the constraints faced in football recruitment, particularly financial limitations and the importance of player fit within a team's system.
The conversation emphasises the need for adaptability and understanding in the evolving landscape of football analytics and recruitment. In this episode, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the intricacies of football recruitment, focusing on the evaluation of player fit within team dynamics, the impact of time constraints, and the importance of understanding player motivation. They discuss the necessity of building a balanced squad and how constraints can serve as catalysts for focused recruitment strategies.
The conversation emphasises the significance of having a structured recruitment process and the value of incremental improvements. Additionally, they explore the future of football recruitment in the context of AI and the importance of simulating real-world challenges to prepare for upcoming changes in the industry.
Takeaways
The podcast's informal style helps connect with listeners.
Personal stories enhance the relatability of the hosts.
Technology is reshaping traditional roles in various fields.
Constraints in recruitment can lead to better decision-making.
Financial constraints are a significant factor in football recruitment.
Understanding player fit is crucial for team success.
The human element in recruitment cannot be overlooked.
Data analytics is becoming increasingly important in football.
Adapting to changes in technology is essential for success.
Awareness of constraints can help identify opportunities. Evaluating player fit is crucial for team dynamics.
Time constraints can significantly impact recruitment decisions.
Understanding player motivation is key to performance.
Building a balanced squad is essential for success.
Constraints can help focus recruitment efforts.
A structured recruitment process is vital for effective scouting.
Incremental improvements lead to long-term success in recruitment.
Simulating real-world challenges prepares teams for recruitment.
AI will revolutionize football recruitment in the future.
Networking and learning from others accelerates growth in recruitment.

Useful Links
Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course
Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.
Instagram
Youtube Channel
...more
44min
May 31, 2025Ep15: What a Recruitment Department Actually Does — and How You Can Train Like You're Already Inside One
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Summary
In this conversation, David Bromley and Tom Butterfield explore the intricacies of football analysis and recruitment. They discuss the importance of contextualizing metrics, the process of translating coach requirements into actionable data, and the significance of key performance indicators in player evaluation.
The dialogue emphasizes the transition from amateur scouting to professional recruitment, highlighting the systematic approach needed to identify and evaluate talent effectively. They also introduce the concept of the 'war room' for practical application and community engagement through the Kickstarter Challenge.
Takeaways
Most courses focus on features rather than simulating functions.
Context is crucial for effective analysis in football.
Translating coach requirements into metrics is essential.
Key performance indicators help streamline player evaluation.
Scouting should be systematic and goal-oriented.
The process of recruitment evolves from amateur to professional.
Community engagement enhances the learning experience.
Starting simple allows for gradual improvement.
Creativity and resourcefulness are key in analysis.
Training with constraints leads to better scouting outcomes.

Useful Links
Join the Free Beginners Course
Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.
Instagram
Youtube Channel
...more
45min
May 23, 2025Ep14: Future-Proofing Yourself — Why Augmented Analysts Will Lead the Next Generation of Football Clubs
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Summary
In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the integration of AI in football recruitment.
They discuss the importance of understanding AI's capabilities, particularly neural networks and natural language processing, and how these technologies can enhance the recruitment process. The conversation emphasizes the significance of prompt engineering to obtain valuable insights from AI, and introduces the concept of the 'war room' as a practical application of AI in recruitment strategies.
The hosts highlight the evolving nature of AI in football and the competitive advantage early adopters will have in leveraging these technologies for effective recruitment. In this episode, David Bromley and Tom Butterfield discuss the integration of AI technology in the recruitment process within the football industry.
They emphasize the importance of effective prompting to maximize AI's potential, the need for a structured approach to using AI, and the introduction of the War Room as a collaborative learning experience for aspiring recruiters. The conversation highlights the necessity of adapting to technological advancements and the benefits of engaging with AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human insight.
Takeaways
AI can enhance the recruitment process in football.
Understanding AI's capabilities is crucial for effective use.
Prompt engineering is essential for getting valuable insights from AI.
Specificity in prompts leads to better AI responses.
The war room concept allows for practical application of AI in recruitment.
AI's potential in football is still evolving and improving.
Recruitment strategies must adapt to incorporate AI effectively.
Collaboration and communication are key in using AI tools.
AI can provide insights similar to a junior colleague's analysis.
Early adopters of AI in recruitment will have a competitive advantage. The importance of using technology effectively in recruitment.
AI can significantly reduce research time and improve efficiency.
Quality of AI responses is directly linked to the quality of prompts.
Understanding how to structure prompts can enhance AI training.
Many users are not fully utilising AI's capabilities.
Engaging with AI early can provide immediate results.
AI can simplify processes, reducing the need for technical expertise.
The War Room offers a hands-on approach to learning recruitment.
Collaboration and diverse opinions enhance the learning experience.

Useful Links
Join the Waiting List - Free Beginners Course
Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.
Instagram
Youtube Channel
...more
38min

FAQs about Football Insights Academy Podcast:

How many episodes does Football Insights Academy Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 124 episodes available.