Man City turn to AI to boost Quadruple bid and subs get real-time computer lowdown in the seconds before they come on
Prem champs are determined to stay at least a step ahead of their rivals with data tools lifting technology to new levels
JUST when Manchester City’s rivals thought they could not get any better, the Prem champions are bringing in AI to help win more titles.
New technology is driving City on in their Quadruple charge this season — and deep into the future.
Watch any substitution made by boss Pep Guardiola this season and you will see the incoming star studying a tablet.
Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Co are given real-time information, analytics and instructions in the seconds before they run on to the pitch.
That tool, SAP Challenger Insights, is just the tip of an iceberg of data and technology that the Etihad outfit are using “from the boardroom to the pitch”.
The club is spending a lot of time and huge resources to ensure they are at the vanguard of football’s tech revolution.
And City’s chief operating officer Omar Berrada claims Guardiola could be using artificial intelligence to help his training sessions in the near future.
Berrada, who worked with Guardiola and City director of football Txiki Begiristain at Barcelona, said: “We’re looking at AI both from a fan experience perspective and also from a tactical point of view, on the pitch performance.
“Can AI be the future of how managers look at their tactical set-up? Is there a perfect combination?
“You find it in chess, where you combine human knowledge and intelligence with AI to get the best tactical performance that you can from your team.”
But Guardiola does NOT have to worry too much about job security right now — AI is not yet advanced enough to replace the human touch.
Berrada added: “It’s difficult to put a timeline on it but I don’t think we’ll ever see — not in our lifetime at least — AI replacing a manager.
“But I think in the next few years you will see top clubs using AI to improve performance in some shape or form.”
And Berrada says the players embraced technology, particularly tablets.
He added: “Our coaches will use it to speak to the players that are about to come on.
“To explain what his position should be in certain set-pieces, what are the tactical variations that Pep is looking to make during the game and how the players should adapt to that.
“That tool allows us to bring to life, in a very visual way, what the coaches are trying to transmit to the players.
“There has been no resistance at all from players.
“If you think about the evolution of how coaches have traditionally communicated with their players, it’s always been either verbal or a notepad or PowerPoint.
I don’t think we’ll ever see — not in our lifetime at least — AI replacing a manager
Omar Berrada
“Now this is a tool that’s a lot more didactic and simple, it allows the players to capture the message in a much quicker way.”
The Premier League champs have been using the technology in training since last term.
They have used it pitchside since the start of this season, taking advantage of a rule change that allows mobile devices in the dugout.
City’s record goalscorer Aguero said at the time: “It helps bring the coaches’ instructions to life so I have a constant reminder of how we are approaching each different game.”
Yet technology is not only driving performance on the pitch for City.
Berrada claims City and City Football Group (CFG) — which comprises seven clubs on five continents — as a whole invest “a significant amount of time” in research and development.
most read in football
Improving performance on the pitch is one of “three pillars” behind the technological drive, with the organisation also focused on improving their business model and the fan experience.
Supporters watching Arsenal take on Manchester United earlier this month were amazed when the camera appeared to zoom inside David De Gea’s head to get his view for Granit Xhaka’s opener.
City have those Matrix-style 360-degree cameras, Intel’s True View, installed at the Etihad.
Outside the stadium, City have installed the ‘CityPulse Wall’, an interactive big screen that gives fans the opportunity to analyse stats and data.
They were the first Prem club to broadcast in Virtual Reality, while they used Augmented Reality to flood the home dressing room in an advert for water technology firm Xylem.
Berrada said: “Whenever there’s an opportunity to work with broadcasters to apply AR and VR, we’ll be the first to raise our hands because it’s something we believe in.
“To give you an idea, we’re looking at using this technology for non-matchday experiences around the stadium. To bring to life what it feels like to walk out of the tunnel.
“So maybe you get to see an image of the coach and the managers.
“These are things we are exploring.”
CFG are also the anchor investor in an £88MILLION sports venture capital fund, Sapphire Sport, and have invited start-ups from around the world to pitch their ideas to the club.
Berrada said: “This just demonstrates that we are actively investing and looking at how to help the world of sports come closer to the world of entertainment and tech.
“It’s an example of just how committed we are.
“We are an organisation always focused on innovation as a means to improve.”