Do you dream of becoming a soccer scout and discovering the next big star? Whether you’re already in the soccer world or not, this article will help you find out if a career change into scouting is right for you!
Becoming a soccer scout and discovering the next big star might be something you’re passionate about. As the idea of career changes becomes more common in the soccer world, is it really possible to transition into a scouting role? Whether you’re already involved in soccer or completely new to the industry, this article will help you find out if a career change into soccer scouting is the right path for you!
Career change to soccer: is it possible?
More and more soccer enthusiasts are exploring the idea of transitioning into a career as a soccer scout. But before asking whether such a move is realistic, it’s important to clearly define the role of a soccer scout.
Soccer recruiter and soccer scout are simply two different terms for the same profession.
The responsibilities someone looking to transition into a soccer scout role will need to fulfil:
- A transitioning scout must be prepared to travel frequently and explore soccer clubs and stadiums across France in search of new talent.
- Carefully analyzing match and training videos is essential for a scout in transition. This helps extract valuable statistics and build a stronger database and knowledge of each player.
- The transitioning scout must assess each player’s skills based on their position within the team.
- Strong sales and negotiation skills are necessary for a transitioning scout to stand out in a competitive environment and successfully secure deals with new players.
The field of recruiters, also known as scouts, is gaining increasing media attention. In recent years, several talent discoverers have become known on social media, referring to themselves as scouts. In this video from Club des 5, you will get to discover the job of a recruiter and how to transition into the role, alongside Antonio Salamanca (former scout for Liverpool and Villarreal) and Mathieu Seckinger (former scout for Manchester United and Olympique de Marseille).
The job of a soccer recruiter offers a perfect opportunity for career change for those looking to combine their passion for soccer with hands-on skills, while working within a soccer club.
Let’s explore together where to truly start when making a career change to become a soccer scout.
Career change to soccer scout
Before starting your career change to become a scout, it’s important to know your current situation. You may already be familiar with the role of a recruiter and have experience working in soccer, or you might not know the job and want to make a complete career change. Discover the path to follow in both cases:
Situation 1: you already have experience and skills as a recruiter
“I’m familiar with the recruiter role and I want to transition into soccer scouting”
If you’re familiar with the recruiter role and have already worked in the soccer industry, you’re already halfway through the transition. Indeed, if you have experience in coaching, video analysis, or another soccer-related job, switching to a soccer scout position can be a smooth transition.
I am convinced that having previous experience as a coach is a real advantage. (Antoine Ferreira, Head of the women’s recruitment unit at Paris FC, on the transition from coach to soccer recruiter)
By developing the diverse skills of a recruiter, you will increase your versatility within soccer. Transitioning into soccer scouting will bring a fresh perspective to your team and provide you with new abilities that will make you more attractive to soccer clubs.
The transition here takes on a more natural form, but you will still need to undergo training in soccer scouting.
Situation 2: you don’t have any recruitment experience yet.
“I don’t know the recruiter role and I want to transition into soccer scouting”
If you’re passionate about soccer, you likely already have some knowledge of what a scout does, along with a strong enthusiasm for the game. For those who haven’t yet explored the recruiter’s role, transitioning into soccer scouting offers an exciting learning opportunity.
To fully understand the job of a recruiter, talent identification, recruitment strategies and to succeed in your transition, you’ll need to complete a professional training program that will establish you as a recognized soccer scout.
Whether you’re in one situation or another, how can you start your transition to becoming a soccer scout as simply and quickly as possible and which training should you choose?
How to transition into a career as a soccer scout?
To transition into scouting, it is essential to start with a free soccer recruiter training. This training will help you acquire all the necessary technical skills to successfully become a soccer scout.
Here are some key skills you will gain during your recruiter training:
1. Talent analysis
The ability to identify emerging talents is at the core of the soccer scout’s role. During your recruiter training, you will be guided in the art of spotting players’ technical, tactical, and mental qualities, enabling you to assess their potential to perform at the highest level.
2. Performance evaluation
A thorough understanding of performance statistics is essential for a soccer scout. Your retraining will teach you how to analyze game data, assess a player’s consistency, and interpret this information to make informed decisions.
3. On-field observation techniques
Being present on the field and watching players in action is a crucial skill in scouting. Your retraining as a soccer recruiter will provide you with specific observation techniques tailored to scouting, helping you capture the nuances of the game and evaluate performances in real-game situations.
4. Scouts reports
In scouting, the ability to effectively communicate your evaluations is essential. Your retraining as a soccer recruiter will guide you in writing comprehensive scouting reports that highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the players you assess.
5. Use of new technologies
Your transition into a soccer scout role will introduce you to cutting-edge technologies, tools and software commonly used in the field, such as Hudl SportsCode, NacSport, and Metrica Sport. This knowledge will help you optimize your recruitment process and succeed in your transition into scouting.
Transitioning into a soccer scout role requires a specific set of skills and qualities tailored to the soccer recruitment field. Begin a training program to start your career change and to attract soccer clubs with a solid foundation.
What are the career advancement opportunities as a soccer scout?
Unlike many professions where salary increases with time and experience, career development in soccer scouting offers a variety of paths.
At just 24 years old, a professional undergoing a scouting career transition can not only compete with, but even out-earn a 45-year-old colleague. This is due to the high value placed on sharp analytical skills, early talent identification and the ability to negotiate strong deals.
In the world of scouting, a recruiter’s worth lies in their ability to spot promising talent, anticipate team needs and secure valuable agreements. A transition into soccer scouting presents a unique opportunity for those looking to work in the sport while building long-term job security.
Beyond the financial benefits, shifting into scouting can open doors to other areas within soccer. A scout looking to diversify may choose to become a player agent, working directly with athletes to negotiate contracts and manage their careers.
Another realistic option is transitioning into coaching, although this path typically requires guidance from experienced mentors to develop the management and leadership skills necessary for team coaching.
This way, becoming a scout can serve as a gateway to a dynamic and diverse career in the world of soccer.
3 Free resources to transition into a soccer scout career
For those seriously considering a transition into the field of scouting, here are some free resources to help you kick-start your new career:
1. Soccer EDU Scout articles
Access all the articles on soccer scouting. How to analyze a player’s performance factors, how to create a scouting résumé, the key qualities needed to succeed as a good scout… Discover all the secrets of the scouting profession with Soccer EDU articles.
2. Soccer software
Enjoy free trials of soccer software, in partnership with Soccer EDU:
– 2-month free trial with Hudl SportsCode
– 3-month free trial with NacSports
– 2-month free trial with Metrica Sports
These partnerships give you the opportunity to transition into scouting with access to the same software used by elite clubs around the world, such as BVB Dortmund, FC Porto, and Liverpool.
3. Youtube
Explore testimonials and YouTube videos about soccer scouting. This will provide you with practical advice for your career transition and help you gain new scouting skills.
Career change to soccer scout: in summary
Becoming a soccer scout offers a promising path for those who want to combine their passion for the game with hands-on skills.
Whether you’re already familiar with the role of a recruiter or looking to explore this field, the free soccer scouting training course is the essential first step to acquire the skills needed for this career change.
As you retrain as a scout, you will learn to identify emerging talents, evaluate player performances, observe on the field, write comprehensive scouting reports, and use cutting-edge technologies in the industry.
This career change not only brings financial opportunities but also opens doors to various roles within soccer, such as player agent, coach, or video analyst.
Ultimately, retraining as a football scout paves the way for a rich and diverse career in the exciting world of soccer.