Ultimate guide on how to become a football scout 👀

Football scouting is a crucial yet often underrated aspect of the sport, shaping teams' strategies and player recruitment across the UK. For those passionate about football and gifted with a keen eye for talent, becoming a professional scout offers a rewarding career path. Here’s a detailed look at what it takes to embark on this journey, including salaries, courses, skills required, and the day-to-day responsibilities involved.

What does a professional football scout do?

A football scout is a key member of a club's recruitment team, responsible for attending matches to evaluate players and teams. Their role includes spotting potential signings, assessing opponents, and providing detailed reports to the coaching staff.

A football scout identifies and evaluates potential players for clubs, assessing their skills, strengths, and weaknesses.

Scouts provide detailed reports on players to help clubs make informed decisions about signings and player development strategies.

How do I become a full-time football scout?

To embark on a career as a football scout, aspiring individuals should focus on acquiring specific qualifications and skills:

What qualifications do I need?

To qualify as a football scout, completion of talent identification courses is essential. The Football Association (FA) offers a structured pathway:

1. FA Level 1 in Talent Identification: Introduces basic principles of scouting.
2. FA Level 2 in Talent Identification: Expands on scouting techniques and match reporting.
3. FA Level 3 in Advanced Talent Identification: Teaches sophisticated scouting strategies and decision-making skills.
4. FA Level 4 in Talent Management: Focuses on leadership and department management.
5. FA Level 5 for Technical Directors: Aimed at senior roles in club management.

Alternatively, private companies such as The PSFA offer scouting courses and accreditations.

Will coaching qualifications help me become a scout?

Yes, coaching qualifications enhance understanding of the game, aiding in player assessment and tactical analysis. There are courses available with companies such as the Barcelona Innovation Hub, the education arm of FC Barcelona where you can complete detailed courses in tactics, performance, sports medicine and coaching.

What skills do I need to become a football scout?

Critical skills for a football scout include:

• Advanced tactical knowledge: Understanding of player positions, tactics, and game dynamics.
• Analytical skills: Ability to assess players objectively and identify their potential and suitability for different teams.
• Communication and presentation skills: Clear and concise reporting skills to convey findings effectively to club management.
• Data skills: Ability to interpret, code, and present data and key findings based on a player's key performance indicators.
• Networking: Building relationships with players, coaches, and agents is the most important aspect of the role. Scouts need to be able to build relationships in order to stay informed about emerging talents before other clubs.
• Emotional intelligence: Noticing subtle aspects beyond just the player's performance that could impact their suitability for a team, such as their behaviour, attitude, how supportive their family (if you are scouting young players), and how they interact with their teammates.
  

What jobs can I do as a qualified scout?

Qualified scouts can work across various levels of football, from amateur to professional clubs. Higher qualifications may lead to roles as chief scouts or technical directors, overseeing recruitment strategies.

What hours do football scouts work?

Scouts often work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, to attend matches and tournaments. Travel is a significant component of the job, requiring flexibility and dedication.

What is a football scout’s salary?

Salaries for football scouts vary widely based on club stature and role:

• Entry-level scouts may earn around £20,000 annually.
• Senior scouts at top clubs can earn six-figure salaries, supplemented by performance bonuses.

How do I get into a football club to become a scout?

The pathway into full-time employment as a professional football scout for a club can vary. We recommend following the below steps in order to give yourself the best chance of becoming a professional football scout:

6. At the beginning of your journey, it's best to speak with football scouts by reaching out to them on LinkedIn or social media to ask what the job entails.

5. Taking a course, perhaps just an introduction to scouting, would be a good next step to ensure that the role matches your expectations and skill set.

4. Once you've received your level 2 in talent identification, you can start scouting. Some organisations, like the PSFA, offer freelance scouting assignment opportunities for new scouts to gain experience.

3. Likewise, there are many scouting agencies out there that will work on behalf of football clubs on individual assignments.

2. Once you've gathered some expertise, your next step will be to try to secure an internship with a club. Approach a lower-tier club near you to offer your services for free or for a nominal fee, to gain experience. At this point, you want to try to get a licence via the club for scouting software such as Wyscout. Wyscout is an essential tool for watching a player's key actions, with the ability to download videos for further analysis.

1. Now you've got experience, you can start applying for further education opportunities and even full-time roles.

Good luck on your journey to becoming a full-time professional football scout, and remember to keep yourself across the latest developments in football by reading and watching as much as you can.

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