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
3How would you present an opposition report to our coaching staff?
Why they ask this: Coaches have limited time; clarity matters.
How to answer: Lead with the key messages (shape, strengths, weaknesses, set pieces), support each with a few clips, and keep it short.
Technical
4Talk us through how you’d code a match for our first team.
Why they ask this: They want to see you can set up a code window that matches what the coaches need.
How to answer: Explain agreeing events with coaches first, consistent definitions, live versus post-match coding, and how you’d turn it into clips.
5Which software and tools have you used?
Why they ask this: Checks you can work with their setup quickly.
How to answer: Name what you’ve used (Hudl SportsCode, Wyscout, Excel, Python, etc.) and give an example of each in action.
Behavioural
6Tell us about a time your analysis changed a coach’s decision.
Why they ask this: Shows impact and influence.
How to answer: Use a specific example: what you found, how you presented it, and what changed as a result.
Situational
7A coach disagrees with what the data shows. What do you do?
Why they ask this: Analysts must influence without confrontation.
How to answer: Listen to the coach’s view, show the evidence (clips plus numbers), look for what each view explains, and accept the final call.
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.
