Kick-start Segmentation Guide for Football Clubs
Reading time:
9 mins
He’s one of the most thoughtful and forward-looking minds I’ve spoken to in football.
A sharp strategic thinker, a great sparring partner, and someone deeply committed to building systems that actually deliver impact.
Whether it's designing data-literate scouting departments, aligning club structures with long-term goals, or shaping what a modern MACO (Multi-Academy and Club Ownership) could look like; Olivier brings clarity and conviction to the table.
In this interview, he shares:
A truly data-literate recruitment department starts with a clear strategy. It must define:
Crucially, leadership involvement is non-negotiable from day one. If senior decision-makers don’t believe in the value of data, the club shouldn’t waste time or money building a data-driven setup because insights won’t be acted upon.
Beyond leadership, a strong data-driven process is essential. This includes the right infrastructure, skilled people to collect, analyze, and communicate findings, and most importantly a culture where data influences decisions.
Without alignment across strategy, leadership, and process, “data-driven” becomes just a buzzword without real impact.
The key word is ALIGNMENT.
Many clubs describe themselves as innovative or forward-thinking but only a few truly live it. The difference lies in what happens after the strategy is defined.
Forward-thinking clubs don't just craft a vision; they align their decisions, structures, and budgets to that vision. They act on their strategy, make tough calls when needed, and consistently invest in what matters most.
Innovation isn’t just a slogan - it’s a commitment backed by alignment, focus, and action.
At the heart of it all: talent development and talent identification.
I believe talent exists everywhere. What’s often missing is a holistic talent development model - one that shapes not just great footballers, but great human beings. That’s the foundation I would build on.
A long-term approach in talent development also demands a robust talent identification process - one that helps recognize potential early and across diverse environments, tailored to each age group.
In fact, I’m not just working towards an MCO but shifted my focus towards building an MACO: Multi-Academy and Club Ownership. Something that goes beyond football. Something designed to have a positive, lasting impact.
I want to build something bigger than myself and I’m looking for like-minded people who share this vision. If this resonates with you, let’s connect.
What resonates with me is Olivier’s insistence that “data-driven” only works when leadership and strategy are aligned. Too often, clubs throw tools at problems without asking if their decision-makers will actually act on the insights. His vision of talent development beyond football is refreshing, it mirrors how I think about systems: they should serve people, not just processes. That’s the real difference between innovation as a buzzword and innovation as an operating principle.
