Analysis and the PAOK Academy
Statistical and video analysis is changing the way we perceive and watch football. As much as this may «kill» the romance, we can only take into account the statement of the man who gave us more than a fair few «erotic» football nights. «The most important part of my staff is the Performance Analysis team,» says Pep Guardiola.
It is obvious that no matter how much data one collects, data analysis is not the «Holy Grail». You always have to watch the players and the game with your own eyes. Analysts, then, are not just people good at math, but mostly coaches and scouts. A machine without a human filter there simply does not work properly. Perhaps the ideal approach to this rapidly evolving «football science» is a mix of American logic – which is addicted to statistical and quantitative analysis, and the Mediterranean way, which is more field-based, tactical, and qualitative.
Technology improves decision-making processes in a multi-billion euro industry such as football, and there are only advantages for teams when they’re making important decisions based on the best information and methods available.
A coach can remember, on average, between 30-40% of the events of a match. A small percentage indeed. That is why the analysis department is now an integral part of the coaching staff of football teams. The use of video and statistical analysis actually helps towards a better and more accurate preparation for teams. Analyzing football matches, players and training sessions through the use of video and statistics is part of everyday football. After all, the scientific progress of the study of the game allows the recording – in addition to simple statistics – of movements on the pitch, direction, speed, strength of sprints, and even how long the ball remains at the players’ feet after the first contact.
The playing characteristics and data are analyzed and, in collaboration with the technical teams, it is decided in which areas and with which players certain adjustments and interventions are needed.
The PAOK Academy Department of Analysis
The department is in charge of the daily recording of games and training sessions, and their analysis and evaluation in collaboration with the coaching staff of each age category.
Among other activities related to analysis, the team have also successfully implemented Live Analysis, an application for the analysis of the game as it happens.
Personnel
Ioannis Vlachos
Giannis Vlachos takes over the video analysis for PAOK B at season 2024-25. This is his third term at PAOK FC, where he has also worked as an opposition analyst, coach in the developmental ages, and a member of the scouting department of the academy and the first team.
Apart from PAOK, in the past he has worked as an analyst and assistant coach at other Super League clubs, such as Iraklis, Xanthi and Platanias, the latter of which he also had a term of 16 months as technical director. He was also a coach and technical director in the Football League with Aeginiakos for three seasons.
He has attended seminars about the analysis of the game in Greece and abroad, has created the Live Analysis program for the video analysis of the match, and holds a UEFA A diploma.
Konstantinos Kavakis
Konstantinos Kavakis, after moving from the field of video analysis at PAOK B and K19, in the 2024-25 season assumed this role in K17 and K16.
He is a graduate of the Informatics Department of AUTH, with a master’s degrees in Training and Injury Prevention in Football (TEFAA) and in Learning Technologies (Pedagogical), but he also holds a UEFA C diploma. He has also trained at the Institute of Sports Analysis (INSA).
He has worked as an analyst at the InStat company. He speaks English and Spanish.
Konstantinos Boukouvalas
Konstantinos Boukouvalas is a relatively new partner of PAOK Academy, in the video analysis department. It started with the U19 in the 2023-24 season and continues with both the U19 and the U15.
He is a graduate of TEFAAS of AUTH, with a Master’s Degree in «Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology», holder of UEFA B diploma, an Alfa Sports Analysis Diploma, and a Sports Analytics Professional Certification.
He has worked as a coach at the academies of M. Alexandrou in Thessaloniki, and Litis, is a physical education teacher, and has attended numerous seminars and workshops in the field of analysis.
