The Data Department is coordinated by Daniel Díaz, a data analyst in the sports department headed up by Manolo Gaspar together with Francisco Capote, technical secretary, who sees this department as “a solid step in the present and for the future to improve the structure and operation of all ranks, from the first team to the Academy.”
A department that works together with the technical secretary, focused on the first team and MCF Academy, which will also provide information to other departments such as the Club's Medical Services, the Goalkeeping Department and the Entity’s women’s section.
“We want the data to tell us what the eye can’t and consolidate and adapt all information to create a profile with an MCF identity. Another substantial tool which strengthens the Club's decisions for the future,” said Capote. In the short term, in regard to the first team, the department will provide the coaching team with objective pre-and post-match analysis of the rivals, and statistical reports of our team according to the competition it’s taking part in. Together with first team analyst, Capa, relevant information is shared, and the players will be offered different data to improve their sports preparation.
As for the youth teams, their own database will be created to bolster recruitment in order to have more control over players who do not belong to the Academy. In addition, reports will be provided that collect specific data from the members of The Academy. Having our own database of all the teams is a primary objective, as well as collaborating with the data itself in decision-making for future signings, combining human resources (scouts) together with the acquired data providers.
Currently, the technical secretary and the data department “work together with the objective that football and data improve decisions on the incorporation and contractual renewal of players,” according to Capote. The department is also immersed in expanding international markets to reach as many leagues as possible with better knowledge; find certain profiles for each position on the pitch that adapt to the needs of the team; objectively complement the subjective vision of the scouts with the data (Martín Viberti and Javi Henares); reduce the error rate as much as possible; facilitate personalised studies of interest to the Sports Department; continue generating our own 'MCF' database of leagues and players; analyse and position the data with what the first team requires in the competitions it plays; have our own resources with techniques that help in the search for players; and optimise the tools for greater control of the information received by the suppliers.
Facing the imminent future, there will be close collaboration with the Medical Services to help prevent injuries with player studies and profiles both in the first team and in the youth ranks. Similarly, with the Goalkeeping Department coordinated by Toni Mengual, goalkeeper training sessions and matches are already being recorded in a database with video analysis, and search reports to find the established profile that adapts to MCF’s goalkeeping department methodology.
The structure of Málaga CF Femenino will also be strengthened, with similar data similar to that of the male teams, which will help the coaching team currently led by Juanma Gómez and Juan Calatayud.
In summary, the Data Department is a pioneer, created by and for the Club by the current Sports Management, which works with data, supervising the past, analysing the present and perfecting the future, valuing the importance of data by applying technology at the service of our teams and players.
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