Breaking into professional football scouting requires dedication, persistence, and overcoming self-doubt. Nico Brandt, a young scout at Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel and former scout at 360 Scouting, shares his inspiring journey from passionate football enthusiast to securing a role at his hometown club during its historic first Bundesliga season.

The 2006 World Cup: Where Nico’s football journey began

Nico’s journey began in Kiel, northern Germany, where he discovered his love for football during the 2006 World Cup. Unlike many fans, he developed a broader interest in German football rather than attaching himself to a single club. “In early adulthood, I became involved in youth football, player development, and scouting in general, which greatly intrigued me and remains a great passion of mine to this day,” Nico explains.

The opportunity with 360 Scouting

In early 2022, a message from Marco van der Heide, the owner of 360 Scouting, changed the trajectory of Nico’s career. “Marco texted me and asked if I would be interested in attending youth football matches in Germany to report on them for his then relatively young scouting agency,” Nico recalls. “As someone taking his first steps into scouting at a higher level at the time, this opportunity was stimulating and a great chance to prove myself, so I accepted.”

Invaluable experience through youth football

Nico’s time at 360 Scouting proved transformative for his development. “My time at 360 Scouting had a decisive impact on my path as a scout and the person I am today,” he shares. “I had the opportunity to analyze a large number of youth players at a high-performance level week after week. Whether it was ‘Junioren Bundesliga’ matches nearby or tournaments across Germany, the experiences were invaluable.”

The network provided by 360 Scouting also opened doors to professional football, giving Nico crucial insights that would shape his future career.

Overcoming self-doubt in professional football

One of Nico’s most significant challenges was navigating the intimidating world of professional football as a young scout. “At 25 years old, you are often one of the youngest people in operational roles in professional football,” he explains. One day, you’re sitting in school or university; the next, you’re sitting at tables with people who handle million-euro deals, have significant influence, and have earned their status in professional football over decades.”

This environment initially bred self-doubt, but Nico persevered. “As I gained experience working with these individuals, I realized they are just normal people, often much more approachable than I had imagined. At the end of the day, if you have managed to earn a seat at these tables, there’s a reason for it: You’ve invested a lot, worked your way up, and your opinion is valued by those who trust your skills.”

The daily life of a Bundesliga scout

Nico, who currently works as a First-Team Video Scout for Holstein Kiel, has substantial responsibilities. “I am responsible for covering the club’s primary markets in detail, ensuring that no relevant players go unnoticed,” he explains. His role combines in-depth scouting reports with video editing to present potential transfer targets to the club’s decision-makers.

Keys to success in scouting

Nico emphasizes several essential qualities for successful scouts:

1. A deep understanding of football fundamentals
2. Clear communication skills for complex information
3. Curiosity and continuous learning
4. Staying updated with new developments in the game

“Some scouts who have been in the business for a long time tend to get too comfortable and fall behind on new developments,” Nico observes. “As Arsène Wenger and Pep Guardiola have already preached, you never stop learning in football, and every day brings new lessons.”

The rewards of professional scouting

For Nico, the most fulfilling aspect of his work is seeing tangible results. “After many years of writing reports primarily for my own development or social media audiences, it feels incredibly rewarding to have a tangible influence on a club’s actions in the real transfer market,” he says. “It’s also fantastic to be involved in transfers and then hear tens of thousands of fans chanting a new signing’s name during their debut. Moments like these fill you with pride and give meaning to all the hard work.”

Advice for aspiring scouts

For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Nico emphasizes three pillars:

“Watch football, write reports, and network,” he advises. “The more football you watch, the better you notice small details in player behavior that go unnoticed by casual viewers. Analyze these observations and write them down. Your reports will only improve through consistent practice.”

He particularly stresses the importance of connections: “Building a network is crucial. Connect with people in the industry and like-minded individuals, whether online or at the pitchside. Your network significantly influences your chances of getting an opportunity to prove yourself one day.”

Looking ahead

Nico’s pride in representing his hometown club during its historic first Bundesliga season is evident. “It is a great honor for me to work for my hometown club, Holstein Kiel, during its first-ever Bundesliga season,” he shares. “My goal is to contribute to helping the club establish itself at a high level in German football while continuing to grow as a scout and person.”

His journey from passionate football fan to professional scout at Holstein Kiel demonstrates that breaking into professional football scouting is achievable with dedication, continuous learning, and the courage to overcome self-doubt. For those with similar aspirations, Nico’s path offers inspiration and practical guidance on turning a football passion into a professional career.

Are you interested in following in Nico’s footsteps? Apply now to join our team of video scouts! Just like Nico, your scouting skills are what matter most – no CV or prior experience is required. This makes it the perfect entry-level scouting job!