The Master’s in Innovation and Digital Transformation in Sports Entities at the Sevilla FC Innovation Center, organized in partnership with Sport Data Campus, has concluded a March full of interesting presentations from various experts.
Javier Gil, Head of AI Implementation and Development at LaLiga, delivered the talk “An Honest Approach to Generative AI and the Future of Work.” Meanwhile, Juan Esteban Gómez Llamas, a member of the Sevilla FC Innovation Center, conducted a live class titled “Understanding Processes in a Sports Entity.”
On March 11, 12, and 13, students had the opportunity to attend 3 Master Classes presented by Carlos González Graña, founding partner and CEO of BHI Capital; once again, Juan Esteban Gómez Llamas; and Miguel Angel Loor, President of the Liga Pro in Ecuador. The first spoke about investment and entrepreneurship in the sports industry, the second about digital leadership and operational transformation in sports organizations, and the third presented the business model of the Ecuadorian Liga Pro.
Also featured were Conrado Sandoval, Director of Competition Development at La Liga MX, and Débora Saldanha, Head of Innovation at Club Atlético Mineiro in Brazil. The training sessions were completed with additional staff from Sevilla FC, such as the club’s General Director, José González-Dans, the Director of Human Resources, Raquel Frías, and the person responsible for Sustainability and the Sevilla FC Foundation, Santiago González. Additionally, Mamen Blanco, an executive specialist in talent development and AI, gave a presentation on this topic to the students.
The Pablo de Olavide University has presented the 9th edition of its Employment and Entrepreneurship Fair, which will be held in person on April 22 and 23, and online on April 24. The event, driven by the UPO (Pablo de Olavide University), aims to connect students with companies and entities from the productive sector. This edition will feature the Sevilla Innovation Center, as part of the program framed within the Sevilla FC Chair: university, business, and sport.
A new feature in this edition is the virtual phase of the Fair, which will be carried out through a new web platform. The Vice-Rector for Students, Employability, and Entrepreneurship, Amapola Povedano Díaz, highlighted this development during the opening ceremony, stating that “we aim for the 9th edition of the Employment and Entrepreneurship Fair to foster interaction between companies, institutions, and the talent generated by the university.”
The Employment and Entrepreneurship Fair will feature various information stands, a business pavilion, job offers, an exhibitor agenda, and a conference schedule. Students, who must register in advance to participate in the different activities, will be able to explore first-hand the job opportunities available after finishing their studies, as well as current labor market demands.
Through a virtual platform, students will be able to register for different meetings with companies, learn about their internship and hiring plans, sign up for in-person talks, submit their resumes to companies, and access the information provided by the various participating companies.
The Innovation Center will be present with an informative and innovative stand offering its training programs.
We look forward to seeing you in person on April 22 and 23 and online on April 24!
The 8th edition of one of the most important master’s programs within the extensive educational offering of the Sevilla FC Innovation Center has arrived: the Master’s in Big Data applied to Football Scouting. This high-level course is designed to prepare scouts, analysts, and sports directors, among other key roles in the football industry.
The program provides students with the necessary tools to adapt to all situations within the world’s most popular sport while also diving into the crucial field of Big Data—an essential aspect in the training of future professionals.
Once again, the Sevilla FC Innovation Center opens its doors to aspiring professionals looking to specialize in scouting. This master’s program is ideal for football enthusiasts and offers a great opportunity to become a true expert in talent identification and analysis at a prestigious institution.
In previous editions, students of this program have had the chance to access top-tier internships and significant job opportunities with various football clubs worldwide. You can find all the details about this master’s program through this link.
The ‘Sevilla FC Chair: University, Business, and Sport’ at Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) opened the submission period for the 4th edition of the Manuel Blasco Garzón Award on January 29. This award recognizes excellence in the best Bachelor’s and Master’s Final Projects presented by UPO students, including both official degrees and lifelong learning programs.
Through this initiative, Sevilla FC, via its Innovation Center, aims to promote research, academic study, and knowledge transfer across various fields. The list of accepted submissions can be found at this link.
The Manuel Blasco Garzón Award pays tribute to the former Sevilla FC president, under whose leadership the club won two Andalusian Cups, hired its first team doctor, organized its first training camps, and hosted the Spanish Cup final at the Reina Victoria Stadium between FC Barcelona and Arenas Club de Getxo.
Blasco Garzón was also a key figure in Seville’s social and cultural life, serving as president of the Ateneo de Sevilla and promoting educational initiatives to improve cultural access in neighborhoods and combat illiteracy.
The importance of data in football has been the central topic in various roundtable discussions. Sergio González, an expert in analysis, emphasized that data is here to stay and its integration into the coaching staff is essential. A good understanding between analysts and coaches allows for determining what information is necessary to improve performance. He also stressed the need for analysts to actively engage and filter relevant data to facilitate decision-making.
Daniel Del Valle, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of convincing the coach of the value of data. In his opinion, the proper use of information can make a key difference at critical moments of a match. He also reminded that artificial intelligence does not replace human work but serves as a supportive tool.
Jesús Galván, a representative from Sevilla, explained that the club’s players are familiar with data from the youth categories. They aim to understand their strengths and weaknesses, using information as a way to improve their performance. He also noted that data is a useful tool to motivate players and establish a dialogue with them, as long as it is interpreted properly.
From a different perspective, Miguel Do Carmo highlighted the challenge of training coaches in data usage. According to his experience, once coaches understand the available information, they can request specific data according to their needs. However, he warned about the importance of synthesizing the information and providing reliable data without imposing work methods.
Omar Bautista, for his part, emphasized that the data strategy is the foundation of the work at his club. The collection and analysis of information have become key pillars for decision-making and optimizing player performance.
Former footballer Carlos Marchena spoke about how video analysis can help convince players about performance improvement. “The image leaves no room for doubt,” he stated. “Sound is also very important—observing how much time you spend talking during training sessions,” Marchena continued, referring this time to the work of coaches.
Reflecting on his past, Marchena recalled that video analysis was not commonly used in his early days as a player. “Video was not worked on before; there was no trust in it. Full matches were played without analysis. But video is a tool that helps a lot, especially when you come to understand it with maturity,” he added. Now, in his academy, he actively uses video to record matches, later analyzing and observing the behavior of both coaches and players.
José María Cruz followed up by addressing the accessibility of video analysis tools. “I see the process as very accessible, especially for amateur teams. Self-financing tools and content creation allow for cost-effective, creative, and innovative storage solutions.” Beyond that, he highlighted the importance of providing meaningful feedback. “It’s not just about sending a document; an in-depth analysis must be conducted. Educating players on the correct use of the tool and creating content to enhance performance is crucial,” he added.
To conclude, Javier Pichel emphasized the evolution of processes and how video analysis has become a fundamental method for improving player performance. He encouraged all teams to take advantage of technological advancements to enhance their performance, regardless of the club’s size, as these technologies are increasingly accessible.
Video analysis is no longer a tool of the future; it has firmly established itself in the present, where technology provides added value to football, significantly enhancing the performance of both players and coaches.
The development of young prospects is a fundamental aspect of any strategic plan within a sporting directorate. Romeo Jozak, technical director of Future Falcons, is well aware of this. Speaking at the Sport Data Forum 2025, he highlighted the significant investment that will be made in the coming years to foster the growth of young footballers in Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that the country has immense potential but that it is crucial to educate these players professionally in Europe.
Jozak also mentioned the challenges of managing information in such a vast country and how they are working on data organization to optimize player performance. In this regard, he stressed the great career opportunities for young Spanish analysts, who can contribute their expertise in data analysis and football development.
One of Future Falcons’ main objectives is to identify and distribute talent to elite leagues, with the goal of having 30 competitive players in the national team over the next 10 years.
The Balance Between Technology and Experience
Eduardo Covelo, former head of methodology at RC Celta de Vigo, took the stage to emphasize the importance of correctly interpreting data within the sporting context. He pointed out that data and technology should complement, rather than replace, experience and intuition. For Covelo, success lies in striking a balance between these two factors, avoiding an excessive dependence on analytics.
He also stressed that while technology has made talent identification faster and more efficient, the real challenge today is not only spotting talent but also developing it. He predicted that, over time, many intangible aspects of football would be measured with precision, creating new opportunities in sports management.
Another speaker, Luis Helguera (sporting director of UD Las Palmas), explained that the divide between data analysis and subjective interpretation of the game no longer exists. In his view, the real challenge is finding professionals who can handle data but also understand the game from within.
For this reason, he encouraged data specialists to expand their knowledge by taking coaching courses and learning traditional football methodologies. This, he said, would allow them to interpret analytical information more effectively. He also emphasized the difficulty of finding hybrid profiles, individuals who can combine technological expertise with a deep understanding of the game, a growing need in club sporting directorates.
The three experts agreed on several key points regarding the evolution of data-driven sporting directorates, particularly in their belief that data is essential, but without passion and context, it loses its true value.
In modern football, information means power, which translates into an advantage over others. In a sport where every detail matters, video analysis has become a fundamental tool for coaches. Roberto López states that “The language that the coach understands is video. That is why this tool is so important, as all data is linked to video.”
The customization of this tool for each club is key—it’s a competitive advantage. Sports analysis consultancies work directly with clubs to offer personalized dashboards tailored to each team’s specific needs. It is not just about transforming data into information but about providing real value to coaching staff.
Highly qualified professionals work alongside coaching teams, ensuring that the tools are fully functional and adapted to the coach’s needs. However, the use of artificial intelligence in data analysis requires caution. It is essential to apply sound judgment when evaluating AI-generated insights, as AI can also make mistakes. Therefore, it is crucial to have experts who can interpret the data correctly.
The football of the future will depend on how today’s tools are used. The key lies in combining human expertise with data analysis to optimize strategies and enhance team performance. Despite all technological advancements, football remains a sport of chaotic nature, where passion and uncertainty are an essential part of its magic.
El Sport Data Forum 2025 continúa con una ponencia sobre Dirección deportiva: un modelo integral basado en innovación y sentimiento en la que participaron Sergio Fernández, director deportivo del Club Deportivo Alavés, y Pablo Sanzol, miembro de la secretaría técnica del mismo club. En esta sesión, se abordaron las estrategias clave del Deportivo Alavés en cuanto a la dirección deportiva basada enla innovación, el rendimiento y el sentimiento de pertenencia.
Sergio Fernández explicó el modelo del Deportivo Alavés, estructurado en tres pilares fundamentales: Rendimiento, Innovación y Sentimiento. Destacó cómo, tras su descenso a Segunda División, el club llevó a cabo un análisis profundo de los errores cometidos con el fin de no repetirlos en el futuro. A partir de esta evaluación, definieron su enfoque en nichos de mercado estratégicos para la búsqueda de jugadores.
Una de las claves del modelo del Alavés ha sido focalizar la captación de futbolistas en una franja de edad entre los 20 y 24 años, segmento que ha demostrado ofrecer los mejores resultados de rendimiento para el club. Como muestra de su evolución, Fernández destacó que actualmente cuentan con solo tres jugadores cedidos, en contraste con los nueve que tuvieron en la temporada en que descendieron, lo que refleja una gestión más estable y planificada de la plantilla.
Por su parte, Pablo Sanzol detalló el proceso de trabajo dentro de la secretaría técnica del club, basado en tres fases fundamentales:
En cuanto al ajuste de información, los datos de los distintos proveedores se adaptan a su propio Index Alavés, en una fase inicial totalmente cualitativa. En relación a la valoración de los jugadores, se evalúa en función de unos parámetros específicos establecidos por el club. Para la realización de los informes, se analiza en profundidad el desempeño y la proyección de cada jugador.
Además, Sanzol subrayó la importancia de conocer los modelos de juego de cada liga para orientar el scouting hacia competiciones que mejor se alineen con la estrategia del Deportivo Alavés.
Durante la mesa redonda, los ponentes compartieron algunas de las ideas más relevantes en su metodología de trabajo La ponencia dejó claro que la innovación y el uso de datos juegan un papel crucial en la planificación deportiva del Deportivo Alavés. La aplicación estratégica de esta información no solo optimiza la toma de decisiones, sino que también permite al club maximizar su competitividad dentro de su contexto deportivo.
El Sport Data Forum 2025 aborda la evolución de las Direcciones Deportivas Data Driven
Romeo Jozak (director técnico del Future Falcons), Luis Helguera (director deportivo de la UD Las Palmas) y Eduardo Covelo (exdirector de metodología del RC Celta de Vigo) debatieron sobre la creciente integración de la tecnología y el dato en la toma de decisiones deportivas
La formación de jóvenes promesas es clave en todo plan estratégico dentro de una dirección deportiva. Lo sabe bien Romeo Jozak, director técnico del Future Falcons, quien intervino en el Sport Data Forum 2025 destacando la fuerte inversión que se llevará a cabo en los próximos años para fomentar el desarrollo de jóvenes futbolistas en Arabia Saudí. Subrayó que el país cuenta con un enorme potencial, pero que es fundamental educar a estos jugadores de manera profesional en Europa.
Además, Jozak mencionó la complejidad de gestionar la información en un país tan extenso y cómo están trabajando en la organización de datos para optimizar el rendimiento de los jugadores. En este sentido, enfatizó que existen grandes oportunidades laborales para jóvenes analistas españoles, quienes podrán aportar su conocimiento en el ámbito del análisis de datos y el desarrollo futbolístico.
Uno de los grandes objetivos de Future Falcons es identificar y distribuir talentos en ligas de élite con la meta de contar con 30 jugadores competitivos en la selección nacional en los próximos 10 años.
El equilibrio entre tecnología y experiencia
Eduardo Covelo, exdirector de metodología del RC Celta de Vigo, tomó la palabra en la ponencia para hacer hincapié en la necesidad de interpretar correctamente los datos dentro del contexto deportivo. Destacó que el dato y la tecnología deben ser un complemento y no un reemplazo de la experiencia y la intuición. Para Covelo, el éxito radica en el equilibrio entre estos dos factores, evitando caer en una dependencia absoluta de la analítica.
Asimismo, insistió en que identificar talento se ha vuelto más rápido y eficiente gracias a la tecnología, pero el gran desafío actual es no sólo detectar talento, sino también desarrollarlo. Además, anticipó que con el tiempo, muchos aspectos intangibles del fútbol podrán ser medidos con precisión, lo que abrirá nuevas oportunidades en la gestión deportiva.
Otro de los intervinientes, Luis Helguera (director deportivo de la UD Las Palmas) explicó que en la actualidad ya no existe una dicotomía entre el análisis de datos y la interpretación subjetiva del juego. En su opinión, el gran reto está en encontrar profesionales que sepan manejar los datos pero que, a la vez, comprendan el juego desde dentro.
Por ello, recomendó a los especialistas en datos que amplíen su formación con cursos de entrenador y otras herramientas del fútbol tradicional, de manera que puedan hacer una interpretación más funcional y útil de la información analítica. También resaltó la dificultad de encontrar perfiles híbridos que combinen el uso de la tecnología con el conocimiento profundo del juego, una necesidad creciente en las direcciones deportivas de los clubes.
Los tres expertos coincidieron en varios puntos fundamentales sobre la evolución de las direcciones deportivas basadas en datos, sobre todo a la hora de afirmar que el dato es clave, pero que sin pasión ni contexto pierde su valor real.
El Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán ha sido la sede este jueves de la sesión de inauguración del Sports Data Forum 2025, un evento de referencia internacional que destaca por su apuesta en la innovación tecnológica y laformación académicaen la industria deportiva. El acto ha contado con la presencia de José María del Nido Carrasco, presidente del Sevilla FC, Miguel Ángel del Barrio, director de programas de Sports Data Campus, José María Cruz Gallardo, responsable de Innovación Deportiva en el Sevilla FC, Lourdes Meroño García, decana de la Facultad de Deporte de la UCAM, y David R. Sáez, CEO de Sports Data Campus.
Durante su intervención, Del Nido Carrasco resaltó el firme compromiso del Sevilla FC con la innovación y la tecnología aplicada al fútbol, destacando herramientas como ‘Ai Football’, ‘Ai Radar’, ‘Ai Scouting’ y ‘Scout Advisor’ y subrayando el papel clave que juegan en la evolución y mejora del análisis deportivo. Además, reafirmó la apuesta del Sevilla FC por la formación de talento en este ámbito.
Compromiso con la tecnología y la formación
Por su parte, Lourdes Meroño enfatizó la relevancia del vínculo entre la universidad y el deporte profesional. La UCAM es la universidad con mayor número de deportistas olímpicos y paralímpicos a nivel mundial. Meroño subrayó la importancia de la colaboración entre las instituciones presentes, alineando la academia, la investigación científica y el análisis de datos con la formación, la investigación y la transferencia de conocimiento en el ámbito deportivo.
La alianza entre el Sevilla FC, el Sports Data Campus y la UCAM fortalece la construcción de una comunidad formativa fue el pilar que más subrayó José María Cruz Gallardo, responsable de Innovación Deportiva Fútbol del Sevilla FC. El club, a través de su Innovation Center, articula numerosas apuestas formativas relacionadas con el análisis de datos, la innovación y el desarrollo tecnológico. Cruz Gallardo, además expresó su gratitud hacia el club y en especial a la figura del presidente por su respaldo continuo a la innovación y la mejora continua dentro del fútbol.
Finalmente, David R. Sáez, CEO de Sports Data Campus, incidió en la relevancia de la formación como eje clave en la transformación del fútbol moderno. El trabajo conjunto entre UCAM, Sevilla FC y Sports Data Campus ha permitido generar un entorno propicio para la profesionalización del análisis de datos en el deporte. Por su parte, Miguel Ángel del Barrio, director de programas de Sports Data Campus, agradeció la confianza de los alumnos y su participación en el foro.
Un evento de referencia en el análisis de datos deportivos
El Sport Data Forum 2025 se perfila como un espacio de referencia en el análisis de datos deportivos, donde la sinergia entre la tecnología, la academia y la industria del fútbol continúa impulsando el crecimiento y la profesionalización del sector. Con un enfoque en la formación y el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas de análisis, este evento refuerza el compromiso del Sevilla FC con la innovación y la excelencia en el ámbito deportivo.
Sevilla FC has signed a two-and-a-half-year agreement with BrainsFirst BV to implement cognitive assessment technology in the development of its young footballers. This collaboration aims to enhance player performance and facilitate the identification of new talents.
With these technological tools, the club will incorporate cognitive skills analysis into the existing evaluation criteria for future professional and elite players, alongside physical, technical, tactical, and mental performance.
BrainsFirst BV, which collaborates with top-tier clubs such as Ajax, Real Sociedad, PSV, Bayer Leverkusen, Nottingham Forest, and Eintracht Frankfurt, provides a diagnostic platform based on neuroscience and gamification. Agustín López Páez, Director of the Youth Academy, highlights that this partnership will be key to training young footballers, as it represents an innovative tool in cognitive control within elite sports and will complement Sevilla FC’s modern and coordinated youth development approach.
A step forward in youth training and development
Antonio Gutiérrez López, Project Manager at Sevilla FC, emphasizes that this new technology will provide a deeper understanding of the players and their potential, making their development more effective. With objective and verifiable data, coaches will be able to make more informed decisions, aligning with the club’s data-driven strategy and strengthening its strategic plan. To achieve this, Sevilla FC will combine its own resources with the expertise of its new partner.
Jens Urlbauer, Business Development Director at BrainsFirst BV, explains the significance of this alliance with Sevilla FC: “We are delighted to collaborate with a club that has a clear vision for player identification and development, and that is integrating innovative tools to achieve even greater success. Sevilla FC aims to support its players in their transition to professional football, emphasizing the importance of data-driven insights in this process.”
