With the rise of data and video analysis, the role of a performance analyst has become one of the key pillars of technical staff. This evolution has profoundly changed the way soccer is understood, taught, and prepared, attracting a new generation of enthusiasts: tech-savvy individuals, former players, recent graduates, and coaches seeking greater precision.
What is a performance analyst?
The role of a performance analyst is based on the ability to observe the game objectively, analyze a large amount of data, and turn this information into recommendations for coaches and players.
“The role of the performance analyst is to provide coaches with insights that can positively impact the team’s performance. At the elite level, the performance analyst has become a critical member of the technical staff.”
— FIFA Training Center
How to become a performance analyst?
Starting from scratch? Before hoping to become a performance analyst, you need to truly understand what this job involves. Here is a clear roadmap to help you get started in performance analysis:
Learn to read the game
- Understand the tactical fundamentals: 4-3-3, pressing, transitions, defensive principles…
- Analyse matches objectively after the fact (cold analysis)
- Study the methods of renowned coaches and try to decode their intentions
Master analysis tools
- Hudl: for analyzing and annotating videos
- Wyscout: video databases and player statistics
- Excel or Google Sheets: creating custom dashboards
- Python / R: for automating data analysis (optional)
- Power BI / Tableau: for interactive visualizations
Develop your soft skills
- Ability to summarize and synthesize information
- Clear and concise presentation of results
- Collaborative work with coaches and fitness trainers
- Adaptability to diverse cultures and contexts
Gain field experience
- Look for internships at local clubs, academies, or universities.
- Volunteer to analyze matches of your amateur team to build a portfolio
- Undertake personal projects: tactical analysis of a match, creating PDF reports, publishing on LinkedIn or X (Twitter)
Create your network
- Join analyst communities (Discord, specialized forums, events)
- Participate in conferences or webinars on data in sports
Career path and training to become a performance analyst
Whether you’re a student, coach, or simply passionate about the game, there are tailored pathways available to help you acquire all the skills needed to become a performance analyst -from reading the game to mastering video and data analysis tools.
Specialized training programs
At SoccerEDU, we’ve designed our Video Analyst Course to meet the real demands of the field and train the performance analysts of tomorrow. Our goal is clear: to equip you with all the necessary skills to join a technical staff, whether in a professional club, an academy, or a university program.
Our curriculum is built around:
- Several hours of educational content are available online, at your own pace
- Training on the main tools used in performance analysis: Hudl, Wyscout, Nacsport, Metrica Sports
- Hands-on modules to learn how to break down matches, build video clips, and create professional reports
- Create real-life case studies inspired by situations from top-level clubs
- Personalized support and regular feedback to help you make real progress
University programs
For those seeking a longer academic path, several internationally recognized degrees are available:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s Degrees in sport science or performance analysis at universities such as University of South Wales, Loughborough, UConn
- Programs in sports analytics, sports management or kinesiology, offered across Europe and North America
What is the salary of a performance analyst in soccer?
In the United States, the average salary for a performance analyst is around $75,189 per year.
Here is a table showing the average salaries for this role across various regions and contexts:
| Region / Position | Average annual salary | Average monthly salary |
|---|---|---|
| USA (Performance Analyst) | $75,189 | $6,265 |
| USA (Sports Performance Analyst) | $75,763 | $6,314 |
| USA (Sports Statistical Analyst) | $70,450 | $5,870 |
| USA (New York, Sports Performance Analyst) | $82,259 | $6,854 |
| USA (Pennsylvania, Sport Performance Analyst) | $75,369 | $6,280 |
| UK (Performance Analyst) | £49,042 | £4,087 |
The data comes from ZipRecruiter, Jooble, and Glassdoor, which compile job listings and employer-reported salaries as of June 2025. Figures for continental Europe are based on industry averages drawn from job postings and professional feedback, due to the lack of public resources.
Note: salaries vary depending on experience, club reputation, level of competition, and area of specialization (performance analysis, data, scouting)
What is the role of data and video analysis in this profession?
Data for a performance analyst
Data and video analysis enable the performance analyst to transform every action on the field into usable insights, making it easier to support tactical decision-making at every stage: before, during, and after the match, as well as during the recruitment process.
Before the match
- A tactical analysis of opponents: weaknesses in pressing, passing tendencies, danger zones
- Preparation of tailored game plans
- Creation of personalized videos for each player
During the match (live analysis)
- Real-time communication with the staff (via tablet or radio)
- Live data to adapt tactical decisions (substitutions, repositioning)
After the match
- Comprehensive report (individual and team)
- Evaluation of key sequences (goals, transitions, defensive errors)
- Measurement of physical load and distances covered (via GPS or data tracking)
Recruitment (scouting)
- Combining statistical data and video analysis to evaluate a player
- Creating player profiles based on the club’s needs
- Assisting sports management in decision-making
What is the difference between a performance analyst and a video analyst?
The main difference lies in their scope of work: the video analyst focuses on the tactical study of matches through video footage, whereas the performance analyst takes a more comprehensive approach, combining physical data, statistics, and video.
The video analyst works hand in hand with the technical staff to decode team movements, prepare pre-match analyses, and illustrate playing principles using software like Hudl or Wyscout.
Meanwhile, the performance analyst also uses these tools to combine them with load indicators, GPS data and advanced statistics to evaluate the progression of both the individual and the team performances.
Becoming a performance analyst, in summary
Whether you are a student, coach, data enthusiast, or former player, opportunities exist as long as you train and practice. Mastery of video analysis and data tools has become a true asset for joining a technical staff. Whether in Ligue 1, the Premier Leagu,e or MLS, clubs are looking for profiles capable of turning data into concrete actions on the field.