Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse opposition teams to support Derby County's First Team performance and tactical planning.
- Company: Join the historic Derby County Football Club, a proud member of the English Football League.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days leave, staff tickets, and health perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation in football analysis and strategy.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in professional football analysis and strong video software skills required.
- Other info: Flexible hours, collaborative environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
First Team Opposition Analyst – Derby County Football Club. Derby County Football Club, established in 1884, is a historic member of the English Football League with a record of two First Division titles (1972, 1975) and an FA Cup win (1946). The club competes in the Sky Bet Championship and is supported by a Category One Academy and a Women’s side. The club is under the leadership of Head Coach John Eustace. Derby County is seeking to recruit a First Team Opposition Analyst to provide analysis and insight to support the First Team’s preparation and performance, working closely with coaching staff to identify trends, deliver reports and recommendations, and drive innovation to maximise team effectiveness.
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.
Club Values and Benefits
- Everything we do as a Club is built around the three pillars of stability, integrity and progress.
- Our core values include pride, positivity, ambition, preparation, honesty, humility, community, and opportunity.
- 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 and Perks for deals and discounts
- Participation in the 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. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check. The club is inclusive and committed to Equality and Diversity.
To apply for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found HERE. Alternatively, 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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
Get to know the club inside out! Research Derby County's history, recent performances, and coaching staff. This will help you tailor your insights and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to the team's success.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current and former analysts or coaches in the football community. Attend events or webinars where you can meet people in the industry. You never know who might have a lead on job openings!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your analysis work, including any presentations or reports you've done. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining the Derby County family. Don’t forget to highlight your tactical understanding and creativity in your application!
We think you need these skills to ace First Team Opposition Analyst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Football: When writing your application, let your love for the game shine through! We want to see how your passion aligns with Derby County's values and how it drives your analytical skills.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in professional football. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've used video analysis tools and your tactical understanding to make an impact on a team.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on delivering your insights in a way that’s easy to understand.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can consider you for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Derby County FC
✨Know Your Tactics
Make sure you brush up on your tactical knowledge of the game. Understand Derby County's style of play and how they approach different opponents. This will help you demonstrate your ability to analyse and provide insights that align with the team's strategies.
✨Master the Tools
Familiarise yourself with the video analysis software mentioned in the job description, like Sportscode and Tactic Pro. If you can showcase your proficiency during the interview, it’ll give you a significant edge over other candidates.
✨Prepare Insightful Presentations
Practice creating and delivering presentations on hypothetical opponents. This will not only show your communication skills but also your ability to synthesise information and present it clearly, which is crucial for this role.
✨Show Your Curiosity
Be ready to discuss how you stay updated with the latest trends in performance analysis and football tactics. Showing your eagerness to learn and innovate will resonate well with the club’s values of progress and ambition.