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- Tasks: Analyse opposition teams to enhance Derby County's first team performance.
- Company: Join Derby County Football Club, a proud and ambitious community-focused football club.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, discounts, and complimentary season tickets.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation in sports analysis.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in professional football analysis and proficiency in video software required.
- Other info: Flexible hours needed; role subject to DBS check for safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 42000 £ per year.
Overview
Derby County Football Club is seeking to recruit a First Team Opposition Analyst. The role will focus on providing exceptional analysis and insight to support the First Team’s preparation and performance. Working closely with the coaching staff, the analyst will identify trends, deliver detailed reports and recommendations, and drive innovation to maximise the team’s effectiveness.
Key Responsibilities
- Play a key role in the department’s first team opposition analysis processes.
- Deliver high-quality insights to the coaching and analysis team, using telestration tools and video analysis to support tactical planning and game plan creation.
- Take ownership of specific elements of the pre-match process, which may include:
- • Coding or live scouting opposition fixtures.
- • Creating and delivering presentations on upcoming opponents.
- • Supporting on the creation of opposition reports.
- Attend and support the analysis department in live feedback at all first team fixtures.
- Contribute to the continuous development of analysis workflows, best practices, and innovation within the department.
- Assist the wider performance analysis team with ad-hoc projects and analysis requests under the direction of the Lead First Team Analyst.
Personal Characteristics
- Strong tactical understanding of the game.
- Highly detail-oriented and organised.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Capable of working under pressure and to quick turnaround times to match the demands of the football season.
- Creative thinker with the ability to innovate and find new competitive advantages.
- Proactive and self-motivated with a strong work ethic and commitment to continuous learning.
- Team player who thrives in a collaborative, high-performance environment.
- Naturally curious, with a desire to seek out answers and develop solutions independently.
- Readiness to be flexible with working hours in line with first team schedule.
Experience and Skills
- 3+ years’ experience working within a first team environment in professional football is essential.
- Strong proficiency with video analysis software (e.g., Sportscode, Angles, MatchTracker, Wyscout) and video telestration software (e.g. Tactic Pro, Studio).
- Strong proficiency within Mac software to aid video presentation and report creation (e.g. Keynote, Powerpoint).
- Holding an undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree in Performance Analysis or in a Sports related subject is essential.
- Data Analysis, Visualisation and Programming experience (R, Python, Tableau, Power BI) is desirable but not essential.
- Relevant coaching qualifications are desirable but not essential.
Competitive salary, dependent on experience. The role is full-time, working 35 hours per week. Due to the demands of a professional football environment, working evenings and weekends is required.
Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity and progress. Our core values are: We are proud of who we are and what we do; We are positive, inspired and passionate; We are ambitious and driven; We are prepared, honest and humble; We are the heartbeat of our community; We are the club of opportunity.
Benefits
- Derby County employee benefits include 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Two complimentary staff season tickets.
- Two complimentary staff away memberships.
- 20% discount at DCFC Megastore.
- Company Pension with Aviva.
- Discounts with select Club partners and sponsors.
- Healthshield Cash Health Plan to support employee health and well-being and Perks for great deals and discounts.
- Participating in our employee forum, ‘The Herd’.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust.
- Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm.
Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of the Club\’s commitment to providing a safe environment for children and young people, applicants should be aware that this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check. Derby County Football Club is an Inclusive Club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.
To apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found HERE. Alternatively, please copy and paste – http://thera.ms/apply – to your chosen browser. More information can be found at https://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/jobsandcareers. The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 21 September 2025. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early. Strictly no agencies please. Derby County Football Club’s Job Applicant Privacy Policy can be found at dcfc.co.uk.
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First Team Opposition Analyst employer: Derby County FC
Contact Detail:
Derby County FC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land First Team Opposition Analyst
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Derby County's playing style and recent match performances. Understanding the team's tactics will help you tailor your insights and recommendations effectively, showcasing your ability to contribute from day one.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your video analysis skills, particularly with software like Sportscode and Tactic Pro. Being proficient in these tools will not only enhance your analysis but also demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running in this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former analysts in professional football. Engaging with professionals in the field can provide valuable insights into the role and may even lead to referrals or recommendations when applying.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare a portfolio of your previous analysis work, including reports and presentations. This will not only showcase your experience but also highlight your communication skills and attention to detail, which are crucial for this position.
We think you need these skills to ace First Team Opposition Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the First Team Opposition Analyst position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job description.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your experience in professional football, particularly any roles that involved tactical analysis or video analysis software. Be specific about the tools you've used and the insights you've provided in previous positions.
Showcase Your Skills: Clearly demonstrate your communication and presentation skills in your application. Consider including examples of presentations you've created or reports you've delivered that had a significant impact on team performance.
Express Your Passion: Convey your enthusiasm for football and your commitment to continuous learning and innovation. Mention any relevant courses or training you've undertaken that showcase your proactive approach to personal development in the field of performance analysis.
How to prepare for a job interview at Derby County FC
✨Showcase Your Tactical Knowledge
Make sure to demonstrate your strong tactical understanding of football during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific strategies and trends you've identified in previous roles, as well as how you would apply this knowledge to Derby County's first team.
✨Prepare for Practical Demonstrations
Since the role involves using video analysis and telestration tools, be ready to showcase your proficiency with these technologies. Consider bringing examples of past presentations or reports you've created to illustrate your skills.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Excellent communication is key in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex analysis. You might even want to prepare a brief presentation on a hypothetical opponent to demonstrate your ability to convey insights effectively.
✨Emphasise Your Team Player Attitude
Derby County values collaboration, so be sure to express your ability to work well within a team. Share examples of how you've contributed to a team's success in the past and how you can support the coaching staff and fellow analysts in achieving their goals.