A Revolutionary Approach: Unlocking Football's Potential with Data
The Future of Football is Here
In the world of Spanish football, a unique and innovative project is taking shape, led by an unexpected figure - Haralabos Voulgaris, a former NBA analytics expert. This story is about how a man who witnessed the NBA's analytics revolution is now reshaping the game of football, one data-driven decision at a time.
Voulgaris, a man who has always been on the fringes of the sports world, is now at the heart of it, owning and transforming CD Castellón, a Spanish second division club. After leaving the NBA and the Dallas Mavericks, he set his sights on a new challenge, and found it in the world of European football.
But here's where it gets controversial... Voulgaris isn't just bringing data to football, he's challenging the very culture of the sport. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about the data, it's about the mindset and the process.
For years, Voulgaris watched basketball like a codebreaker, studying every aspect of the game. He trained his brain to spot patterns that others might miss. Now, he's applying this same logic to football, rebuilding Castellón's system with a data-driven approach.
But he's not just playing the role of a rich owner; he's taking the long view, investing in the club's future. Off the field, a new training complex is being built, providing facilities for the women's and youth teams. On the field, the data is translating into success, with Castellón promoted to the Segunda División just a year after Voulgaris took over.
And this is where the revolution truly begins. Castellón are playing a high-energy, attacking style of football, and they're excelling in key attacking metrics. But it's not just about the results; it's about the process and the journey.
The Power of Data, or is it?
In today's sports world, data is everywhere. But Voulgaris warns that using data the wrong way can be worse than not using it at all. He believes that many clubs are held back by their assumptions about data, and the need to understand sampling and variance is crucial.
Voulgaris' goal isn't to be the most 'data-driven' club, but to consistently make better decisions than their peers. It's an 'imperfect science', he says, and his approach is shaped by his experience with dysfunction in the NBA.
The Challenges of Football Ownership
As an owner, Voulgaris faces unique challenges in football. Results dominate everything, and with low-scoring matches, small samples, and variance, decisions are often judged by outcomes rather than process. A single goal can change the entire narrative of a performance.
After a slow start to the season, Voulgaris made a change, sacking Johan Plat for Pablo Hernández. And the data is showing positive signs. Hernández has improved Castellón's expected goals (xG) per game, and they now have one of the best xG differentials in the league.
A Sustainable and Exciting Style
Castellón's style of play is not just about results; it's about creating an exciting brand of football that gives players a platform to shine. This, in turn, attracts the attention of scouts from bigger clubs, and has led to player sales that fund the entire project.
Voulgaris' approach to scouting is almost heretical. He relies entirely on data, using models to identify players, and only then does he watch video to understand their style and personality. With reliable data, he believes you can scout every league in the world, removing the limitations of traditional scouting.
A Culture Clash and a New Vision
Spanish football has been successful, with its coaching methods and academies renowned worldwide. But Voulgaris brings a fresh perspective, challenging the status quo. He believes it's easier to change minds when you own the club, and he's setting the culture from the top.
His heuristic is simple: if it's not already being done this way, would it be the best way to start? Voulgaris is putting his data-driven theories to the test, and while not every decision has been perfect, his strike rate is impressive.
This is a story of innovation, of challenging the norms, and of the power of data. Stay tuned to ourfootballnewsletter to follow this revolutionary project and join the discussion. What do you think about Voulgaris' approach? Is data the future of football, or is there more to it than meets the eye? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
