8 questions, with why they’re asked and how to answer.
General
1Tell us about yourself and why you want to work in football.
Why they ask this: They want a clear, short story that links your experience to this role, and to see real motivation beyond being a fan.
How to answer: Spend about a minute: where you are now, two or three experiences that prepared you for this job, and why this step makes sense. Keep “I love football” to one sentence and focus on the work.
See an example answer
“I’ve spent three years coaching in grassroots and academy football while finishing my degree. The part I enjoy most is seeing players improve week by week, which is why I want a full-time academy role where I can work with the same group across a season.”
2Why do you want to work for our club?
Why they ask this: Clubs want people who have done their homework and will fit their culture, style and plans.
How to answer: Mention something specific: their playing style, academy pathway, community work or a recent change at the club, and connect it to how you work.
See an example answer
“Your academy has given first-team debuts to five players in two seasons, and the pathway is clearly a priority. That matches how I coach: I focus on long-term development, not just results on a Saturday.”
Role-specific
3What’s the difference between event data and tracking data, and when would you use each?
Why they ask this: Checks your understanding of football data sources.
How to answer: Event data records actions with locations; tracking data records every player’s position many times a second. Give a use for each.
Technical
4Explain expected goals (xG) to someone who has never heard of it.
Why they ask this: They want to see you can explain technical ideas simply.
How to answer: Describe it as the chance a typical shot becomes a goal based on similar shots, and say what it’s useful for and its limits.
5How would you build a model to shortlist full-backs for recruitment?
Why they ask this: Tests your approach from the question to the answer.
How to answer: Start with what the club needs, choose metrics and filters, adjust for league and minutes, validate with scouts, and present a shortlist.
Behavioural
6Tell us about a project where your work was ignored. What did you learn?
Why they ask this: Influence is as important as accuracy.
How to answer: Be honest, focus on what you changed next time (simpler outputs, involving the users earlier).
Situational
7The sporting director wants an answer by tomorrow but the data is incomplete. What do you do?
Why they ask this: Tests judgement under time pressure.
How to answer: Give the best answer you can, be clear about how confident you are and what’s missing, and offer a follow-up.
Questions to ask them
8What would success look like in this role after six months?
Why they ask this: Asking this shows you’re thinking about results and how you’ll be measured, not just about getting the job.
How to answer: Ask it near the end, listen closely, and briefly connect their answer to something you’ve already mentioned.
