First Team Lead Tactical Analyst

The Association of Professional Football Analysis; Blackburn; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackburn Rovers FC is seeking a Lead Tactical Analyst to head the club's tactical analysis across First Team, U21 and Academy levels. The role focuses on delivering data-driven insights, aligning with the playing philosophy, and supporting game preparation with visual and statistical outputs.

The successful candidate will lead a department, collaborate with coaching and data science teams, and travel with the First Team to matches, including live coding and post-match analysis.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in Sports Science / Sports Coaching (or equivalent).
• Management related qualification desirable.
• UEFA A (requirement or working towards).
• Valid UK Driving Licence desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide tactical insights aligned with the club’s philosophy and game model.
• Develop pre-match, live, and post-match analysis with coaching staff.
• Travel with the First Team to all matches, including live coding during games.
• Record and analyse training sessions, delivering actionable insights for coaches and players.
• Lead and manage the performance analysis department at First Team/U21 and Academy levels.
• Collaborate with Head Coach & Head of Technical Development to align processes with club goals.
• Build a library of best practices and update tactical databases.
• Deliver individual and group analysis sessions to players to support development.
• Publish two peer-reviewed tactical/performance papers per season as part of the club’s program.

Skills

Football tactics

Data-driven analysis

Communication to coaching staff

Education

Postgraduate degree in Sports Science / Sports Coaching

UEFA A qualification (in progress or attained)

Management qualification (desirable)

Tools

HUDL

SportsCode

WyScout

Coach Paint / Piero

IMPECT

Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word)

Job description

Full Time Blackburn Posted on August 8, 2026 Closes: August 20, 2026

Performance Analysis

BRFC Senior Training Centre, Brockhall Village, Old Langho, Blackburn, BB6 8FA. Flexibility regarding location is required.

Reports directly to the Head of Performance Analysis & the Technical Development and collaborates closely with the First Team Coach, coaching staff, and Data Science department.

Performance Analysis Department

A minimum of 40 hours per week plus any additional hours necessary. This will include regular evening and weekend work.

Permanent

To lead and manage the tactical analysis within the club. To provide key insights into the senior coaching staff in order to enhance provision quality. This role is essential to ensuring that Blackburn Rovers FC remains at the forefront of tactical analysis and player development, contributing to the success of the First Team and club academy development.

The Lead Tactical Analyst plays a pivotal role in supporting the coaching staff by providing detailed football insights that align with the club’s playing philosophy and game model. The ideal candidate will combine visual tactical expertise with data-driven analysis to deliver actionable insights that enhance coaching and match preparation processes. Additionally, this role requires a commitment to delivering best practices to players in both group and individual settings while maintaining safeguarding and professional standards.

Football Insights and Match Preparation:

• Provide tactical insights that align with the club’s philosophy and game model.
• Utilize both visual and data-driven analysis to support coaching decisions.
• Collaborate with the First Team Coaching staff to ensure a shared vision of the game, delivering clarity in analytical outputs.
• Develop pre-match, live, and post-match analysis in collaboration with coaching staff.
• Travel with the First Team to all matches, including live coding during games.
• Record and analyse training sessions, producing actionable insights for coaches and players based around key objectives.

Strategic Leadership and Department Management:

• Assist and progress the club’s performance analysis strategy at First Team/U21 and Academy levels.
• Work closely with Head Coach & Head of Technical Development to align analysis processes with the club’s strategic goals.
• Lead and manage the tactical analysis, fostering a multi-disciplinary approach.

Game Model Development:

• Collaborate with the Data Scientist to analyse the implementation and effectiveness of the club’s game model.
• Build a comprehensive library of best practices, including tactical insights and methodologies.
• Update technical and tactical statistical databases to reflect the club’s evolving philosophy.

Player and Staff Engagement:

• Deliver individual and group analysis sessions to players, tailored to their development needs.
• Develop motivational and supportive materials for match preparation.
• Support coaching staff by providing detailed documentation and resources.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement:

• Stay informed of advancements in analytical techniques, platforms, and technologies.
• Explore new innovations to enhance the department’s output and performance.
• Learn and adapt to new IT equipment and analysis tools.
• Work towards publication of 2x tactical based/performance analysis based peer reviewed papers per season as part of the clubs research program.

Administrative and Operational Duties:

• Ensure all analysis equipment is maintained and updated, liaising with relevant providers for new tools when required.
• Manage the department’s data storage, ensuring backups of all analysis presentations and documentation.
• Oversee work placement students, creating structured tasks to support their learning and development.
• Liaise with external analysis providers such as Hudl and Opta for services and updates.

Safeguarding and Professional Standards:

• Promote the welfare and safeguarding of all elite players while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Strong understanding of football tactics and the ability to break down the game through the lens of the club’s playing philosophy.
• Competent with the following IT appliances; HUDL, SportsCode, WyScout, Coach Paint / Piero, IMPECT and Microsoft Office inc. PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
• Exceptional communication skills to deliver insights to players and coaching staff effectively.
• Experience managing a performance analysis department, with strong organizational skills.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and innovation in analysis techniques.
• Competent using video cameras and video capture equipment for the use of filming in wide-angle.
• High level football tactical and technical understanding;
• Previous experience working in Performance Analysis within an elite senior football environment;
• Football coaching experience, or coaching analyst at senior level; and
• Sound knowledge of Mac and Windows-based operating systems.

Qualifications:

• Postgraduate degree in Sports Science / Sports Coaching (or equivalent) or a similar degree subject;
• Management related qualification (desirable);
• UEFA A (requirement or working towards);
• Valid UK Driving Licence (desirable).