Tom Butterfield & David Bromley

A.I. In Football

Sports EN ↓ 168 episodes

AI in Football: Recruitment Decisions, Done Properly is a practical podcast about how football clubs make better recruitment decisions in an AI world — without the hype. We don’t chase novelty tools. We focus on the thinking and structure that makes any tool useful: clear role briefs, behaviours over labels, constraints and trade-offs, repeatable shortlisting, and decision review that actually improves the process. Each episode gives you something you can use:- Role Definition Templates (behaviour-based, not position labels)- Question sets that lead to better shortlists- Meeting Structures tha...

Author

Tom Butterfield & David Bromley

Category

Sports

Podcast website

elevatehcw.kit.com

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

Ep65: The Night at the Azteca — What England vs Mexico Told Us 07.07.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary Join us as we analyse the recent World Cup matches, focusing on tactical decisions, VAR controversies, and the resilience of teams under pressure. This episode offers insights into how data and character signals reveal the true story behind the game. Key Topics VAR controversies and decision-making in...

Ep64: Three Games In: What Can We Actually Say? 26.06.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley analyze the World Cup group stages, discussing team performances, key players like Yassin Ayari, and how to interpret tournament data for recruitment. They explore how match context influences player evaluation and what to expect in the knockout rounds...

Ep63: The Noise Begins! Is There A Brief Behind Any Of This? 19.06.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley analyze the impact of World Cup performances on football transfer market decisions, debunking myths and highlighting the importance of data-driven recruitment strategies. Key Topics Impact of World Cup on player valuation Market noise and media influen...

Ep62: World Cup Window — How to Watch a Tournament Like a Recruitment Department 12.06.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley explore how to watch the World Cup as a recruitment tool, emphasizing the importance of preparation, data analysis, and understanding the limitations of tournament-based scouting. Key Topics The impact of visibility and FOMO on player valuation The imp...

Ep61: The Clean Slate — What Would You Build If You Started Today? 05.06.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary This episode explores how football clubs can leverage AI and data tools effectively by starting from a clean slate. It emphasizes the importance of defining clear identity and process before tool adoption, and discusses common pitfalls like legacy platforms and confirmation bias. Keywords Football recr...

Ep60: The Summer Window Is Open — Are You Ready? 28.05.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge In this episode, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the core principles of professional football recruitment, emphasizing the importance of clarity, preparation, and structured processes. They explore how clubs can optimize their decision-making and leverage AI tools effectively to build sustainable...

Ep59: The Board Conversation — Making Recruitment Decisions Defensible Upwards 22.05.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge In this episode, David Bromley and Tom Butterfield delve into how football clubs can navigate the complexities of recruitment decision-making, especially in the context of AI integration. They emphasise the importance of systematic processes, governance, and honest communication with the board to foster trust...

Ep58: Reading the Market — How 'Identity' Filters Opportunity in a Noisy Window 14.05.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge In this episode, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley explore the complexities of football recruitment during noisy transfer windows. They emphasise the importance of a well-defined brief, discuss the role of AI platforms, and highlight strategies to maintain focus and professionalism under pressure. Main Topics:...

Ep57: The New Manager Scenario - Rebuilding Identity Without Losing the Work 08.05.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge In this episode, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley explore the critical role of structured processes and AI tools in managing managerial changes within football clubs. They discuss how existing recruitment infrastructure can be preserved and adapted through transitions, highlighting practical strategies and th...

Ep56: Preparing for the Summer Window — What to Do Before the Pressure Arrives 02.05.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In episode 56 of the AI in Football podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and guest David Bromley delve into how AI and data tools are revolutionising football recruitment, particularly during the crucial May preparation window. They discuss the importance of disciplined planning, the role of AI in generating...

Ep55: The One-Window Club - Why Process Gains Don't Stick 25.04.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary This episode explores the common pitfalls in football recruitment processes, the importance of consistent methods, and how to effectively utilise AI tools without mistaking them for the process itself. Hosted by Tom Butterfield with guest David Bromley, it offers practical insights for clubs aiming to...

Ep54: The Agent Call — Maintaining Process Discipline When the Timeline Isn’t Yours 17.04.2026

The 72 Hour Protocol Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary This episode explores the intricacies of football recruitment, emphasising the importance of process discipline, managing agent relationships, and preparing for urgent scenarios. Hosted by Tom Butterfield with guest David Bromley, a FIFA licensed agent and data analyst, the discuss...

Ep53: The Manager Problem - When The Brief Gets Overruled 10.04.2026

Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' The Three Manager Dynamics Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley explore the complexities of managing recruitment processes in football, focusing on overcoming managerial resistance, framing processes as the manager's voice, and handling high-pressure override situations. They share practi...

Ep52 - The Method Meets Reality - Why Good Processes Get Rejected. 03.04.2026

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Click Here To Learn More About The 'First XI Platform' Summary This episode explores the challenges of implementing structured recruitment processes in football clubs, emphasising the importance of understanding human dynamics and organisational culture. Hosts discuss resistance patterns, practical steps for adoption, and how to align processes with real-world dec...

Ep51: The Club Operating Rhythm - Making The Model Outlast The Individual. 29.03.2026

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary This episode explores the importance of establishing a consistent and institutionalised recruitment process in football clubs. It covers the key documents, regular meeting rhythms, and strategies to ensure the process outlasts individual personnel changes. We explore the role of structured identity work, AI, and data-driven decision-making in football recr...

Ep50: The Shortlist Funnel: Data, Video Scouting, Live Scouting and the Target Matrix. 20.03.2026

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Dive into how systematic processes in football recruitment can revolutionize your squad building—focusing on filtering, evidence-based decision making, and maintaining a live, dynamic target matrix. Perfect for club staff and analysts aiming for consistency and agility in player evaluation. In this episode: The significance of a disciplined funnel approach to stre...

Ep49: The Definition/Selection Meeting Split - When Are Player Names Allowed In The Room? 14.03.2026

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary This episode explores the importance of structured decision-making in recruitment, the role of AI tools, and the discipline needed to ensure quality standards. Hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss how to implement effective processes, the split between definition and selection, and practical steps for recruiters. Key Topics The importance of cle...

Ep48: Turning Behaviours into Metrics - Choosing KPI's that Serve The Team Identity (And Avoid Analysis Theatre) 05.03.2026

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode of the AI in Football podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the critical aspects of recruitment in football, emphasizing the importance of clarity in defining player behaviors and the role of data analytics in making informed decisions. They explore the concept of 'Analysis Theatre,' where analysis appears rigorous but la...

Ep47: Formations & Role Archetypes — What Your Identity Demands From Each Line. 28.02.2026

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode of the AI in Football podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the critical aspects of recruitment in football, focusing on the significance of formations and role archetypes. They discuss how understanding these concepts can enhance recruitment decisions, ensuring that players fit the specific demands of a team's game mo...

Bonus Episode 2 - Replacing Heung-Min Son - Ranking The Best Fit Replacements (Xavi Simons Ranked Number 33!) 19.02.2026

YouTube Version Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode of the AI in Football podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the recruitment process for Tottenham Hotspur, focusing on the use of data analytics and AI in player selection. They discuss personal updates, the importance of a structured recruitment process, and the various stages involved in identifying a...

Bonus Episode: What Type of Player Should Replace Son Heung-Min at Spurs? 13.02.2026

YouTube Episode Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode of the AI and Football podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the intricacies of football recruitment, particularly focusing on Tottenham Hotspur's challenges in replacing key players. They explore the role of AI in streamlining recruitment processes, defining objectives, and identifying player attribute...

Ep46: Identity → Game Model — Turning Words Into 'Behaviours by Phase'. 06.02.2026

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode of the AI in Football podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the significance of defining a game model in football recruitment. They discuss how a clear identity can streamline recruitment decisions, emphasizing the importance of observable player behaviors and the integration of AI in enhancing scouting processes. The...

Ep45: Templates + Variants — Defining Identity Fast (Without Turning the Club into a Cartoon) 30.01.2026

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Useful Links Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's. Instagram Youtube Channel

Ep44: Identity Before Positions — Why “How We Win” Comes First 22.01.2026

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode of the AI in Football podcast, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley discuss the critical role of identity in football recruitment. They emphasise that understanding a team's identity is essential before making recruitment decisions, as it helps define what 'fit' means for players. The conversation explores the pitfalls of relying on position l...

Ep43: The Boundary Line — Using AI in Recruitment Without Getting Burned 15.01.2026

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this conversation, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley explore the role of AI in recruitment, particularly in the context of football. They emphasise the importance of clarity and structure before implementing AI tools, highlighting the risks of overconfidence in AI-generated results. The conversation explores the boundaries of AI's usefulness in recruitm...

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