Our guest on Episode #81 of the TGG Podcast is Reed Shaffner, Chief Technology Officer at Teamworks.
Reed oversees the engineering, design, product and data science teams behind a platform used across professional and collegiate sport.
In this Episode, Reed told us where AI is genuinely working in football and where it isn't; warned about the security and privacy risks some clubs are underestimating; and explained how Teamworks Player ID is learning to identify how good a player will become, versus how good they look today.
SHOW NOTES =>
0:00: Introduction
1:39: Reed's role at Teamworks, and his route in through gaming and youth sport
3:17: What AI actually is — beyond the buzzword
5:42: How widely is AI being used in football?
6:45: Where it works well, and where it doesn't
7:25: Injury prediction — why the returns are still questionable
8:24: Hallucinations, and the two athletes who didn't exist
10:20: Case study: the NFL's Digital Athlete platform
11:28: Data quality, process and the role of human expertise
12:53: Privacy and security — what should never go into a model
14:12: It's not just medical data: contracts and schedules
14:43: The questions to ask any AI vendor
15:42: Data poisoning and the fabricated eye condition
17:32: Skills as a new attack vector — and what a skill is
18:49: Build or buy: what clubs are making themselves
19:41: Scout bias detection, and Kahneman on human bias
22:00: The rise of the 'head of AI' job title
22:50: Is US sport ahead of UK football?
23:27: Tracking data, and will AI mean fewer analysts?
25:26: AI inside the Teamworks products: from reactive to proactive
28:02: Player ID — what to do when metrics disagree
29:50: Predicting how good a player will become, not how good they are now
31:11: Bespoke clubs and individualised training
34:17: The future: cameras, youth football and undiscovered talent
36:04: Worries and fears: attackers, deepfakes and social engineering
38:01: Speaking at TGG Live '26 at Old Trafford

Our guest on Episode #81 of the TGG Podcast is Reed Shaffner, Chief Technology Officer at Teamworks. Reed oversees the engineering, design, product and data science teams behind a platform used across professional and collegiate sport. In this Episode, Reed told us where AI is genuinely working in football and where it isn't; warned about the security and privacy risks some clubs are underestimating; and explained how Teamworks Player ID is learning to identify how good a player will become, versus how good they look today. SHOW NOTES => 0:00: Introduction 1:39: Reed's role at Teamworks, and his route in through gaming and youth sport 3:17: What AI actually is — beyond the buzzword 5:42: How widely is AI being used in football? 6:45: Where it works well, and where it doesn't 7:25: Injury prediction — why the returns are still questionable 8:24: Hallucinations, and the two athletes who didn't exist 10:20: Case study: the NFL's Digital Athlete platform 11:28: Data quality, process and the role of human expertise 12:53: Privacy and security — what should never go into a model 14:12: It's not just medical data: contracts and schedules 14:43: The questions to ask any AI vendor 15:42: Data poisoning and the fabricated eye condition 17:32: Skills as a new attack vector — and what a skill is 18:49: Build or buy: what clubs are making themselves 19:41: Scout bias detection, and Kahneman on human bias 22:00: The rise of the 'head of AI' job title 22:50: Is US sport ahead of UK football? 23:27: Tracking data, and will AI mean fewer analysts? 25:26: AI inside the Teamworks products: from reactive to proactive 28:02: Player ID — what to do when metrics disagree 29:50: Predicting how good a player will become, not how good they are now 31:11: Bespoke clubs and individualised training 34:17: The future: cameras, youth football and undiscovered talent 36:04: Worries and fears: attackers, deepfakes and social engineering 38:01: Speaking at TGG Live '26 at Old Trafford

Our guest on Episode #81 of the TGG Podcast is Reed Shaffner, Chief Technology Officer at Teamworks.
Reed oversees the engineering, design, product and data science teams behind a platform used across professional and collegiate sport.
In this Episode, Reed told us where AI is genuinely working in football and where it isn't; warned about the security and privacy risks some clubs are underestimating; and explained how Teamworks Player ID is learning to identify how good a player will become, versus how good they look today.
SHOW NOTES =&gt;
0:00: Introduction
1:39: Reed's role at Teamworks, and his route in through gaming and youth sport
3:17: What AI actually is — beyond the buzzword
5:42: How widely is AI being used in football?
6:45: Where it works well, and where it doesn't
7:25: Injury prediction — why the returns are still questionable
8:24: Hallucinations, and the two athletes who didn't exist
10:20: Case study: the NFL's Digital Athlete platform
11:28: Data quality, process and the role of human expertise
12:53: Privacy and security — what should never go into a model
14:12: It's not just medical data: contracts and schedules
14:43: The questions to ask any AI vendor
15:42: Data poisoning and the fabricated eye condition
17:32: Skills as a new attack vector — and what a skill is
18:49: Build or buy: what clubs are making themselves
19:41: Scout bias detection, and Kahneman on human bias
22:00: The rise of the 'head of AI' job title
22:50: Is US sport ahead of UK football?
23:27: Tracking data, and will AI mean fewer analysts?
25:26: AI inside the Teamworks products: from reactive to proactive
28:02: Player ID — what to do when metrics disagree
29:50: Predicting how good a player will become, not how good they are now
31:11: Bespoke clubs and individualised training
34:17: The future: cameras, youth football and undiscovered talent
36:04: Worries and fears: attackers, deepfakes and social engineering
38:01: Speaking at TGG Live '26 at Old Trafford

Reed Shaffner: Football's AI moment - promise and pitfalls

Our guest on Episode #43 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Rui Faria.
Rui was Jose Mourinho's assistant for 17 years, during which time they achieved huge levels of success. They won at least one trophy a season in that time, including league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, as well as two Champions Leagues.
In this pod Rui covers a range of subjects, including tactical periodisation, style of play, the use of data, neuroscience and why he still regards Mourinho as #1.
 
=> SHOW NOTES:
01:45: Why hasn't he done any interviews?
03:58: How he got involved in football.
05:42: Tactical periodisation.
11:38: First contact with Jose Mourinho. First meeting in Barcelona. Thinking 'out of the box'.
15:20: "I think we marked an era in football."
21:20: Difficult times early on at Leiria. Meeting of minds.
25:55: Coming into Chelsea. New approach for the players. 'Special One'. What his role as assistant involved.
31:16: Training mental skills and emotional control. Inter v Barca in 2010 Champions League semis as an example.
43:00: Man management. Need to treat everyone as an individual. 
49:30: Different styles of play. Need for pragmatism. Making sure young players are prepared for their opportunities. Some players not ready, eg Mo Salah at Chelsea.
58:12: Remembering watching Ronaldo and Messi for the first time, when they were both 16.
1:06:00: Being accused of being a defensive coach. How style of play has evolved in England since they first arrived.
1:13:02: Importance of context when using data.
1:14:40: Defiant about scrapping GPS at Manchester United. How it has become too dominant within sport science. Role of neuroscience.
1:27:24: Stepping down at Manchester United. "I left a job millions would love to be doing." Ambitions for the future. 
1:30:16: Would he work with Mourinho again? "They were fantastic unforgettable moments."

Our guest on Episode #43 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Rui Faria. Rui was Jose Mourinho's assistant for 17 years, during which time they achieved huge levels of success. They won at least one trophy a season in that time, including league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, as well as two Champions Leagues. In this pod Rui covers a range of subjects, including tactical periodisation, style of play, the use of data, neuroscience and why he still regards Mourinho as #1. => SHOW NOTES: 01:45: Why hasn't he done any interviews? 03:58: How he got involved in football. 05:42: Tactical periodisation. 11:38: First contact with Jose Mourinho. First meeting in Barcelona. Thinking 'out of the box'. 15:20: "I think we marked an era in football." 21:20: Difficult times early on at Leiria. Meeting of minds. 25:55: Coming into Chelsea. New approach for the players. 'Special One'. What his role as assistant involved. 31:16: Training mental skills and emotional control. Inter v Barca in 2010 Champions League semis as an example. 43:00: Man management. Need to treat everyone as an individual. 49:30: Different styles of play. Need for pragmatism. Making sure young players are prepared for their opportunities. Some players not ready, eg Mo Salah at Chelsea. 58:12: Remembering watching Ronaldo and Messi for the first time, when they were both 16. 1:06:00: Being accused of being a defensive coach. How style of play has evolved in England since they first arrived. 1:13:02: Importance of context when using data. 1:14:40: Defiant about scrapping GPS at Manchester United. How it has become too dominant within sport science. Role of neuroscience. 1:27:24: Stepping down at Manchester United. "I left a job millions would love to be doing." Ambitions for the future. 1:30:16: Would he work with Mourinho again? "They were fantastic unforgettable moments."

Our guest on Episode #43 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Rui Faria.
Rui was Jose Mourinho's assistant for 17 years, during which time they achieved huge levels of success. They won at least one trophy a season in that time, including league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, as well as two Champions Leagues.
In this pod Rui covers a range of subjects, including tactical periodisation, style of play, the use of data, neuroscience and why he still regards Mourinho as #1.
&nbsp;
=&gt; SHOW NOTES:
01:45: Why hasn't he done any interviews?
03:58: How he got involved in football.
05:42: Tactical periodisation.
11:38: First contact with Jose Mourinho. First meeting in Barcelona. Thinking 'out of the box'.
15:20: "I think we marked an era in football."
21:20: Difficult times early on at Leiria. Meeting of minds.
25:55: Coming into Chelsea. New approach for the players. 'Special One'. What his role as assistant involved.
31:16: Training mental skills and emotional control. Inter v Barca in 2010 Champions League semis as an example.
43:00: Man management. Need to treat everyone as an individual.&nbsp;
49:30: Different styles of play. Need for pragmatism. Making sure young players are prepared for their opportunities. Some players not ready, eg Mo Salah at Chelsea.
58:12: Remembering watching Ronaldo and Messi for the first time, when they were both 16.
1:06:00: Being accused of being a defensive coach. How style of play has evolved in England since they first arrived.
1:13:02: Importance of context when using data.
1:14:40: Defiant about scrapping GPS at Manchester United. How it has become too dominant within sport science. Role of neuroscience.
1:27:24: Stepping down at Manchester United. "I left a job millions would love to be doing." Ambitions for the future.&nbsp;
1:30:16: Would he work with Mourinho again? "They were fantastic unforgettable moments."

Rui Faria: Creating a new era for football

For this episode, Simon Austin went to St George’s Park to meet Dave Reddin, Head of Team Strategy and Performance at the Football Association. Last month, Reddin announced he would be stepping down from the role in December, after almost six years at the FA. Simon asked him about his eventful, and sometimes controversial, reign.

For this episode, Simon Austin went to St George’s Park to meet Dave Reddin, Head of Team Strategy and Performance at the Football Association. Last month, Reddin announced he would be stepping down from the role in December, after almost six years at the FA. Simon asked him about his eventful, and sometimes controversial, reign.

For this episode, Simon Austin went to St George’s Park to meet Dave Reddin, Head of Team Strategy and Performance at the Football Association. Last month, Reddin announced he would be stepping down from the role in December, after almost six years at the FA. Simon asked him about his eventful, and sometimes controversial, reign.&nbsp;

Dave Reddin: England's Performance Pioneer

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, we’re at the TGG Youth Development Conference in Manchester.
In this episode you’ll hear from three of our main speakers: Huddersfield Town Academy Manager Leigh Bromby, Hudl senior strategist John McGuigan, and Director of Coach Education for the Belgian FA Kris Van Der Haegen.

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, we’re at the TGG Youth Development Conference in Manchester. In this episode you’ll hear from three of our main speakers: Huddersfield Town Academy Manager Leigh Bromby, Hudl senior strategist John McGuigan, and Director of Coach Education for the Belgian FA Kris Van Der Haegen.

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru Podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, we’re at the TGG Youth Development Conference in Manchester.
In this episode you’ll hear from three of our main speakers: Huddersfield Town Academy Manager Leigh Bromby, Hudl senior strategist John McGuigan, and&nbsp;Director of Coach Education for the Belgian FA Kris Van Der Haegen.&nbsp;

Youth Development Conference

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, Simon Austin and Josh Schneider-Weiler went behind the scenes at Burnley’s Academy. They were given a tour of the Barnfield Training Centre by Academy Manager, Jon Pepper.

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, Simon Austin and Josh Schneider-Weiler went behind the scenes at Burnley’s Academy. They were given a tour of the Barnfield Training Centre by Academy Manager, Jon Pepper.

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru podcast, in association with Hudl. For this episode, Simon Austin and Josh Schneider-Weiler went behind the scenes at Burnley’s Academy. They were given a tour of the Barnfield Training Centre by Academy&nbsp;Manager, Jon Pepper.

Behind the scenes at Burnley's Academy

Welcome to the new <a href='http://trainingground.guru/'>Training Ground Guru</a> podcast, brought to you in association with <a href='https://www.hudl.com/en_gb/'>Hudl</a>. This monthly show is going to take you behind the scenes in professional football.
For our first episode, Simon Austin went to meet former Birmingham, Derby and Stoke manager Gary Rowett at the Belfry Resort in Warwickshire. Joining them were Rowett’s former Head of Performance, Dave Carolan, and his Head of Analysis, Joe Carnall.
They gave an insight into their roles, how they work together as a team and reflected on their time in football.

Welcome to the new Training Ground Guru podcast, brought to you in association with Hudl. This monthly show is going to take you behind the scenes in professional football. For our first episode, Simon Austin went to meet former Birmingham, Derby and Stoke manager Gary Rowett at the Belfry Resort in Warwickshire. Joining them were Rowett’s former Head of Performance, Dave Carolan, and his Head of Analysis, Joe Carnall. They gave an insight into their roles, how they work together as a team and reflected on their time in football.

Welcome to the new <a href="http://trainingground.guru/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Training Ground Guru</a> podcast, brought to you in association with <a href="https://www.hudl.com/en_gb/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hudl</a>. This&nbsp;monthly show is going to take you behind the scenes in professional football.
For our first episode,&nbsp;Simon&nbsp;Austin went to meet former Birmingham, Derby and Stoke manager&nbsp;Gary Rowett at the Belfry Resort in Warwickshire. Joining them were Rowett’s former Head of Performance, Dave Carolan, and&nbsp;his&nbsp;Head of Analysis, Joe Carnall.
They gave an insight into their roles, how they work together as a team and reflected on their time in football.&nbsp;

Gary Rowett's Cohesive Coaching

Welcome to the Training Ground Guru Podcast. In every episode we bring you insights from the teams behind the teams in professional football. Thank you for listening.

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