Hey Reader,
Most people think courses and degrees are enough.
They're not.
Last week, Brian McDermott joined us for an industry expert session in the Recruitment Room. Premier League manager, director of football at Hibernian, Arsenal scout, former professional player. His message was simple and brutal.
You have to actually do something.
The Uncomfortable Truth
Brian's breakthrough came from picking up the phone. He spoke to Nigel Adkins, shared his football knowledge, and landed his first scouting role. Wasn't glamorous. Wasn't well-paid. Academy coaching on the side to make ends meet.
But he took action.
The problem with football today? People complete the PFSA course, watch some Tableau tutorials, apply for some jobs, then sit back and wait.
Waiting doesn't work.
What Taking Action Really Looks Like
For someone with zero experience, action starts with your online portfolio. Not posting once a fortnight. Not even once a week.
Multiple times a week. Sometimes daily.
Look at Alfie (Football Economist on Twitter). Web apps, visualisations, player rating models, data scraping. Posted every single day. Showcased everything he could do.
Result? Analyst role at Nottingham Forest.
First job in football. Online presence made the difference.
The pattern is clear: consistent action beats perfect preparation.
The Three-Stage Action Framework
Stage 1: Skill Demonstration Create work that shows you can handle the role you want. Post it online where clubs can see it. Show, don't tell.
Stage 2: Strategic Networking Reach out to people. Meet others in the game. Put yourself out there. Brian's words, not mine. Digital networking is amazing at growing your network but real conversations create opportunities.
Stage 3: Add More Strings to Your Bow Want to be a recruitment analyst? Learn scouting. Pick up skills from different areas of football. Smaller clubs need people who can wear multiple hats.
Brian emphasised this repeatedly. Adding these strings to your bow makes you more valuable.
Why Most People Stay Stuck
They mistake learning for doing.
Completing a course feels like progress. Reading about analytics feels productive. Planning your career feels like movement.
None of it is action.
Brian wasn't subtle about this. Sitting at home with qualifications won't get you opportunities. Won't make you stand out. Won't build the network you need.
You have to get out there and make things happen.
The Reality Check
Yes, you might start unpaid or low-paid. Brian was honest about this part too. It's not about working for free forever - it's about creating connections, getting feedback, and building real experience.
The people who progress are the ones who take that first step. Then the second. Then keep moving.
Everyone else stays where they are, wondering why their degree isn't opening doors.
Your Next Move
Here's the shift: stop asking what you need to learn and start asking what you need to do.
Today. This week. This month.
Brian's message wasn't complicated. But it was necessary.
Action beats preparation. Doing beats planning. Showing beats telling.
The question isn't whether you're ready. The question is whether you're moving.
Liam.
P.S.
Ready to take action on your football journey? Join the Recruitment Room and access our industry expert sessions, hot seat sessions, and weekly live events. Because learning without doing isn't enough anymore.
Whenever you’re ready, there are two ways I can help you:
- Free 1-2-1 Breakthrough Call - Frustrated trying to break into football recruitment? Tired of rejection after rejection? No idea how to get your first role in professional scouting or analysis? Get your free Football Career breakthrough Call to create a clear pathway to reach your goals in the football industry.
- Recruitment Room - My online membership community helps aspiring and new football professionals secure jobs working in recruitment. Master the four pillars of scouting, analysis, online portfolio, and employment. Learn from industry experts through our workshops, hot seats, and live sessions.
|