The duality between directing and discovering

When budgets are tight, coaches become everything: strategists, motivators, and even talent scouts. In this article, we tell you how, with a notebook in hand and a lot of intuition, they manage to lead teams and discover players who keep the magic of football alive, even in the most modest of settings.

In clubs where budgets are tight, coaches not only have to lead, but also act as scouts. They have to evaluate players with an eye that goes beyond goals or technical flashes, to decide if they have what it takes to fit into the team. All this while organizing the scheme for the next game and solving daily unforeseen events such as the injury of a starter or how to get to the next game with the available resources. It is a role that demands balance and a lot of creativity.

The coach-scout needs a clinical eye. It is not enough to notice that a player stands out in his league; you have to understand if he can sustain his performance under pressure, if he has the right mentality to grow in a competitive environment and how he will relate to his teammates. In this job, the coach is a bit of a psychologist, a bit of a coach, and often a bit of a visionary. He must also be discreet, as the chances of signing a talent often depend on acting quickly before other teams set their sights on the same target.

This dual role brings its challenges. While concentrating on scouting, a training detail may be overlooked or long hours of reviewing videos may wear him out. Without a clear organization, the risk of getting overwhelmed is high. That's why those who manage to balance both tasks develop systems to optimize their time and delegate when necessary, relying on local assistants and resources. Tools such as video analysis and digital platforms also play an important role, allowing the coach to access key information without having to constantly travel long distances.

On a day-to-day basis, a coach-scout has to be pragmatic. For example, he could prioritize players who, in addition to talent, are versatile and can play in several positions. This not only expands the team's tactical options, but also ensures that the club gets the most out of its investment. In addition, it has to work closely with its assistants to create a reliable network that keeps it informed about local leagues and emerging players.

The success stories are many. There are coaches who discover players in lower leagues and turn them into pillars of their team. For example, figures such as Marcelo Bielsa have known how to draw on their observation skills to find unknown players who later became international figures. Or cases such as Diego Simeone, who in his early days as a coach had to be as careful in choosing players as in his tactical approaches. Also noteworthy is the ability of coaches in lower divisions, who with limited budgets have discovered key players who later shine on the bigger stage.

However, not all cases are immediate successes. Sometimes, a promising player does not adapt to the pace of competition or his development is stopped by external factors. But even in these cases, the work of the DT-scout is valuable because it strengthens the structure of the club and fosters a culture of constant search for improvement. In addition, it allows for the identification of patterns that can improve the selection and training processes in the future.

Another key aspect is the ability of the coach-scout to adapt to different realities. Scouting for talent in a first division club is not the same as scouting for talent in a second division club. While in the big clubs the focus may be on immediate impact, in the smaller ones the focus is on long-term development. Knowing how to read these differences and adjust their search to the real needs of the team is what differentiates good coaches from extraordinary ones.

In these clubs, the coach-scout often has to rely on a network of local contacts, people who know the neighborhood tournaments and minor leagues where talents usually appear. In some cases, these networks also include former players or fans who become key allies in tracking down possible signings. This makes football not only a matter of technique, but also of community.

The emotional aspect also plays an important role. When a coach discovers a young player, he must work on building his confidence and helping him adapt to a competitive level that can be overwhelming. This includes not only on-field work, but also accompanying the coach in his personal development, being a mentor who balances expectations with reality.

The reality of today's football shows that, although technology has transformed scouting, the human eye remains irreplaceable. Platforms such as WyScout or InStat provide accurate data, but none of them replace the intuition and experience of the coach who knows how to interpret the small signs that differentiate an average player from an exceptional one. Therefore, the balance between technology and human knowledge is key to success in this dual role. In addition, these tools are expensive and often inaccessible to small clubs, which reinforces the importance of field knowledge.

Training is also a challenge. Although there are courses for coaches, they rarely include specific modules on scouting. This means that many coaches have to train themselves, watching matches and analysing players on their own. Those who manage to master both facets not only become valuable pieces for their clubs, but also position themselves better in their professional careers.

For those who dream of becoming coaches or scouts, the example of the coach-scout is inspiring. It shows that effort, passion and the ability to adapt to circumstances can open doors in the competitive world of football. And it also reminds us that, at the end of the day, the most important thing is to keep alive the dream of finding the next star who will make a fan base vibrate. Because, after all, that is what this beautiful sport is about: dreaming and making those dreams come true.

Ultimately, the coach-scout does not just look for talents: he builds stories. Each player he discovers, each decision he makes and each lesson he leaves in his players are part of a legacy that transcends results. He is a figure who balances strategic planning with passion for the game, reminding us that football, beyond business and statistics, remains an art in constant evolution. So, the next time you see a coach in a stand, do not look at him as a simple spectator: he is, perhaps, the architect of the next dreams that we will see shine on the field.

Ignacio Arismendi

Artificial intelligence