SFS24: The Importance of Data in the Football Industry
The Changing World of Football Transfers Data Intervention, one of the most anticipated panels of the seventh edition of the SFS, offered an illuminating insight into the impact that artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis are having on football, particularly in scouting and transfer processes.
Some of the industry’s leading experts took the stage: Cenk Ergun, former Sporting Director of Galatasaray, Nicola Innocentin, CEO of Global Football Service, K. Tarkan Batgun, CEO of Comparisonator, and Steven Vanharen, Technical and Sporting Director of ETO FC Győr.
The discussion began with Ergun’s personal experience, describing how, in the early 2000s, scouting at major clubs relied on rudimentary tools such as videotapes. Since then, the sector has undergone a radical transformation, with data becoming essential not only to evaluate a player’s current performance but also to predict their future potential. However, the real value today lies not merely in the quantity of data available but in the ability to interpret and integrate it into decision-making processes.
A practical example of this revolution was shared by Nicola Innocentin, who detailed a recent market operation for a club in the Saudi Pro League. Starting with a limited budget of €9 million and a very tight timeline, AI was used to quickly identify players compatible both technically and economically. “Thanks to AI, we managed to complete an operation that usually takes a month in just 10 days. The data allowed us to identify valuable players compatible with the budget”, explained the CEO of Global Football Service, adding that the Saudi Pro League itself is focusing on data analysis to raise the league’s quality standards.
Steven Vanharen also emphasized how the use of data has been essential in defining ETO FC Győr’s playing identity and development strategies. He highlighted the importance of data in shaping a playing philosophy and selecting players aligned with that vision. Vanharen further noted that data has not only been useful for the first team but also for the development of youth academies, aiding decisions on whether to nurture internal talent or recruit externally.
The panel also addressed the cultural evolution of clubs toward greater adoption of technology. Ergun recalled how there was initially resistance to the adoption of data analysis, an attitude that has radically changed over the years: “Even high-profile coaches, such as Roberto Mancini at Galatasaray, requested investments in data labs to support technical and sporting management. This transformation has placed data at the center of decision-making processes, not only to improve performance but also to ensure that every choice reflects a balance between the club’s technical, economic, and identity needs”.
A significant theme discussed was the shift in market dynamics, with a focus on future collaborations between Italy and Turkey in light of the 2032 European Championship, which will be co-hosted by the two nations. It was emphasized that Turkey could serve as a model for Italy in terms of sports infrastructure and training centers, areas where Italy has not yet fully invested.
The current goal of the football industry is not merely to collect data but to interpret and strategically use it to make quick and effective decisions. This shift represents a true revolution for a sector in constant transformation, where the balance between innovation and sporting identity remains a defining and essential characteristic.
