Liverpool’s former Director of Analysis, Dr Ian Graham, has revealed that he was approached by “a few Premier League groups” and why he turned them down.
Alongside Michael Edwards and the teaching workers, Graham was one of many key figures in Liverpool’s ascension to the highest of world soccer, constructing a highly-respected analytics staff.
Graham left Liverpool in the summertime of 2022, and is highly-sought after in soccer. He revealed to ESPN that he “acquired approached by a few Premier League groups” who needed him to copy his Liverpool success.
The 44-year-old defined why he rejected the provides, saying: “Liverpool was the membership I supported. So, it was actually my dream job, though it became a nightmare at numerous factors.
“General, it was my dream job. And so, I had zero motivation to simply do the identical factor once more. Simply altering the color of the shirts, that’s not sufficient of a change for me.”
Graham speaks hardly ever and, on this interview with journalist Ryan O’Hanlon, he tried to clarify why Liverpool’s data-driven strategy was so efficient.
“We had house owners that had been deeply invested in a data-driven strategy, which isn’t the case at different groups,” Graham stated.
“And I realized from expertise: You want that funding from the highest, in any other case it’s simply not going to work.
“I additionally had the privilege working for a sporting director who can also be closely invested in knowledge. So, even when the house owners are invested, that doesn’t imply that folks truly making the sporting selections are invested.”
Working carefully with Sporting Director Edwards, Liverpool’s switch staff and the teaching workers, Graham helped construct a squad able to successful each trophy within the recreation.
It was relative bargains like Andy Robertson (£8 million), Joel Matip (free) and Mo Salah (£34m) that had been important components of Liverpool’s triumphs, and Graham was important of their acquisitions.
The method wasn’t simple, and the former-Director of Analysis stated: “Half the trick is definitely implementing the decision-making course of. It’s not having good analytics.
“Sure, we provide the good analytics, but it surely’s the right way to use them is the actual trick.”
Liverpool had that trick nailed to a tee, let’s hope they haven’t misplaced it.
