Episode 50

full
Published on:

20th Mar 2026

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

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:
  1. The significance of a disciplined funnel approach to streamline shortlisting
  2. Differentiating between long lists, filtered shortlists, and the importance of evidence consistency
  3. The four stages of the recruitment funnel: Data, Video, Live Scouting, and Target Matrix
  4. How to correctly apply behavioral filters at each stage to avoid wasting resources
  5. The role of evidence-based decision making and maintaining a collaborative, club-wide consensus
  6. Practical tips to keep the target matrix current, live, and actionable
  7. Common pitfalls in recruitment processes and how to mitigate them
  8. The value of discipline, routine, and continuous updates in recruitment work
Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to recruitment process discipline

02:13 - The importance of a consistent funnel approach

04:33 - The problem with unfiltered shortlists

06:27 - Four stages of the recruitment funnel

08:07 - Filtering based on behavioral evidence

13:19 - The importance of pre-filtering and avoiding resource wastage

18:37 - Focused video analysis—questions for behavioral confirmation

22:45 - Balancing data limitations with evaluation rigor

27:19 - The critical role of live scouting in assessing intangible traits

31:53 - Developing and maintaining the target matrix

36:55 - Continuous updates, resource allocation, and process discipline

41:00 - Final thoughts and next episode preview


Extra Tips:
  1. Regularly review and update your target matrix—each month if possible
  2. Ensure your behavioural filters are specific and questions are well-defined
  3. Use a clear evidence chain to justify and explain your recruitment decisions
  4. Focus scouting efforts on a handful of well-vetted candidates to maximise impact

Remember:

Building a reliable, evidence-backed recruitment process isn't quick, but the discipline and consistency pay off massively in squad quality and operational efficiency.

Useful Links

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge

Support The Show - Buy David and Tom a bag of peanut M&M's.

Instagram

Youtube Channel

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Support A.I. In Football

A huge thank you to our supporters, it means a lot that you support our podcast.

If you like the podcast and want to support it, too, you can leave us a tip using the button below. We really appreciate it and it only takes a moment!
Support A.I. In Football
A
We haven’t had any Tips yet :( Maybe you could be the first!

Listen for free

Show artwork for A.I. In Football

About the Podcast

A.I. In Football
Recruitment Decisions, Done Properly.
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 that stop recruitment becoming a persuasion contest

- Simple Ways to Stress-Test Decisions (“what would make this wrong?”)

- How AI Fits Safely: drafting, checking, standardising outputs — never replacing judgement

If you work in recruitment, scouting, analysis, coaching, or you’re aiming to, this show is for you. Clarity First. Tools Second.
Support This Show

About your hosts

Thomas Butterfield

Profile picture for Thomas Butterfield
I'm a very approachable obsessive learner who is always interested in the stories of others, and how that information and experience can be used to help others move the needle of their life in a positive direction.

As a result of the work I do adults and younger people understand the importance of being an active participant in their own health.

The result of this is we at Elevate Health Chiropractic and Wellbeing are putting better educated individuals into the community who are making better health decisions for themselves and those they care for the most.
They move better, they eat better, they think better.

They Feel Better.

We are always looking to work with and help individuals and organisations who value their own health, that of their family, or their staff high enough to take that next step with Elevate Health, Chiropractic and Wellbeing.

David Bromley

Profile picture for David Bromley
For the last fifteen years I have applied my analytical, systems-evaluation and financial background to the football industry.

As a long-term student of the game I hold coaching badges from the English Football Association and am a certified member of the Professional Football Scouts Association.

I hold distinctions in the Prozone (STATS) Professional Performance Analysis/ Performance Data & Recruitment Certificates Levels 1,2 & 3 in addition to being an F.A. Registered Intermediary.

My experience in football has enabled me to view player recruitment from the 'sharp end' and allows me to tailor my service to meet clients' best interests.