Mark Leyland: Evolving the role of the analyst

Training Ground Guru Podcast

Our guest on Episode #56 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Hudl, is Mark Leyland.

Mark is one of the foremost analysts in this country and has become much more than that. He started his career in the Academy at Everton and went on to work for Burnley, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Mark is one of the few backroom staff to be name-checked by managers. Eddie Howe described him as 'integral' and said 'we love him to bits,' while Jurgen Klopp said he had played 'a big part' in Liverpool's success.

Mark was a Post-Match Analyst for Liverpool, evolved into a Coach-Analyst at Newcastle and is now Head of Coaching Methodology for City Football Group.

Simon Austin spoke to Mark in front of a live audience at Hudl's UK Football Conference at Loughborough University.

SHOW NOTES=>

02:14: Starting to work in football. Analysing games on VHS with Dave Raven. Intern with Everton. Early lessons.

09:45: Delivering feedback in a constructive way. Importance of relationships. Working with young players.

11:53: Elite players employing their own analysts.

13:17: First team football with Burnley. Working with Eddie Howe and then Sean Dyche. Help of Harrison Kingston.

18:08: Working at Liverpool. Evolution of the analyst role. Elite development group and focus on individual development.

20:46: Divock Origi embracing analysis. Has his own analyst and Wyscout account.

22:05: Working in tandem with the data science department at Liverpool. Players more used to working with data now.

25:41: Working closely with the coaches at Liverpool/ spending more time on the training pitch.

28:54: Even including the ball boys in analysis at Liverpool, leading to famous winner against Barcelona in the Champions League semis.

30:31: Joining Newcastle/ how the Coach-Analyst title came about. Will it become more prevalent in future?

37:16: Switch to City Football Group/ how it came about/ pressures of being in a first-team environment and difficulty of getting a work-life balance in football.

42:09: What does Head of Coaching Methodology involve?

44:38: Personal ambitions for the future?