Tracking data has transformed the way clubs analyse the game.

This cornucopia of information is shaped and analysed by data scientists to create valuable insights for coaches, managers, Heads of Recruitment, Sporting Directors and more.

But how much do you know about tracking data? Ie what it is, how it's collected, how it's analysed (and by whom), and how different departments and personnel use it?

This episode of the TGG Podcast sets out to answer those questions and more.

Our guests are:

Michael D'Auria: The Executive Vice President of Partnerships, Sports and Technology for Genius Sports, the official tracking data provider for the Premier League. Michael has been at the cutting edge of tracking data provision for more than a decade, having previously been Chief Commercial Officer for Second Spectrum.

Dominic Jordan: Chief Data Officer for Twelve Football and the former Director of Data at Manchester United. Dominic 'builds great teams to help great companies become leaner, greener and better equipped to succeed in a data-rich world.'

Our guest on Episode #67 of the TGG Podcast, in association with Genius Sports, is Andrew Nestor.

Andrew is the Sporting Director of West Brom, working under new owner Shilen Patel. When the duo arrived in February 2024, the club's finances were in a "perilous" position.

Since then, they have focused on rejuvenating the squad, while being mindful of profit and sustainability rules.

Speaking the morning after West Brom's last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Bristol City, Nestor told us about his role as Sporting Director, his strategy at the Championship club and how he cut his teeth in football as owner, CEO and General Manager of the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the US.

SHOW NOTES =>

03:35: Andrew's thoughts on Baggies manager Tony Mowbray and the squad.

04:35: How he has found his role so far.

06:02: First impressions of West Brom on arriving at the club.

07:23: The Baggies were known as being innovative before Andrew's arrival - was that the situation he found?

08:16: How he worked on changing the squad, which was the oldest, based on minutes played, and fifth highest-paid in Championship.

10:00: The part the club's Academy plays in Andrew's strategy and extending the stays of younger players.

11:40: His thoughts on West Brom's style of play and how to adapt it.

15:16: Bringing in a data team to support the club's scouting process.

18:40: Planning for life in either the Championship or the Premier League at the same time.

19:25: Why Tony Mowbray was appointed as head coach.

23:57: Keeping a long-term vision for the club despite external pressure.

25:08: Carlos Corberan's departure.

26:52: Andrew's first off-the-field job in football with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

29:05: His career outside the game before that.

29:41: Success at Tampa Bay and working with Paul Mariner and Paul Dalglish.

31:39: Meeting WBA chairman Shilen Patel for the first time.

32:23: Leaving Tampa Bay to go to Bologna.

34:44: How Andrew and Shilen ended up joining West Brom.

35:42: Shilen's involvement with the club.

36:32: Andrew's first experience of being a Sporting Director.

37:33: His wide remit at The Hawthorns.

39:06: Working closely with Ian Pearce.

39:54: The club's financial situation, largely affected by the loss of parachute payments.

41:52: What are the Baggies' short and medium-term prospects?

43:56: Reflections on the January transfer window.

46:07: Where Andrew bases himself.

It's great to be back for Season 6 of the TGG Podcast - and with a new sponsor, Genius Sports.

Our first guest of the new season is Vitor Matos, the former Head of Elite Development at Liverpool. During five seasons at Anfield, Vitor helped to nurture a new generation of talent and deliver a number of trophies.

Since leaving Liverpool at the end of last season, he has been Assistant to Pep Lijnders at Red Bull Salzburg.

In this episode, Vitor told us what it was like to work alongside Jurgen Klopp, the key components of development, how Curtis Jones can lead the new generation at Liverpool and how Arne Slot has made subtle changes this season.

SHOW NOTES =>

02:10: What he's been doing since leaving Red Bull Salzburg in December 2024. Reflections on that period now.

04:36: Jurgen Klopp coming in as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull but periods didn't overlap. Parallels between Red Bull clubs and Liverpool.

06:33: How he started in coaching. Mourinho as an inspiration.

08:02: Meeting Pep Lijnders for the first time.

09:40: Influence of Professor Vitor Frade/ studying under him at University of Porto.

11:56: Why is Portuguese coaching so strong? Why is there a paucity of top English coaches?

16:49: How the move to Liverpool came about.

23:18: Manager and club committed to youth development and giving opportunities.

24:40: Development of Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah. Considering whether to loan players out or not.

35:33: Who should we be looking out for in the next generation of young players at Liverpool?

36:29: What was it like working with Jurgen Klopp and what makes him so special? Could you have stayed on when he left?

39:23: Transition of Arne Slot into the club. Tactical changes. Transformation of Ryan Gravenberch.

45:25: Ambitions for the future.

48:24: Favourite training exercises.