Framtidens fotbollsstjärnor: En undersökning av talangidentifiering i fotbollens värld

Sammanfattning: Abstract Talent identification and development are critical and ongoing processes in football, shaping future professional athletes and influencing attrition rates among youth players. This study sought to investigate the multifaceted mechanisms of talent identification and development, drawing on the perspectives of coaches and leaders within the sport. Key objectives included understanding the criteria driving talent identification as well as trying to unwind the existing problems regarding the talent identification process. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with football professionals operating across various levels of the footballing pyramid. The findings revealed a nuanced approach to talent identification, anchored in four core components: physiological characteristics, psychological resilience, technical skills, and game intelligence. Psychological aspects emerged as the cornerstone of talent identification, with a strong consensus among professionals that player mentality ultimately determines progression to professional football. The study further noted several existing problems with the process of talent identification as we know it today but that gives the professionals a possibility for improvance. The study concludes that talent identification and development go beyond prescriptive criteria, often reflecting the personal experiences and preferences of the coaches and scouts. While this subjectivity can yield benefits, it may also contribute to early dropout rates in the sport. The study underscores the need for continuous professional development for coaches and scouts, as well as the establishment of acknowledged methods and models to foster a more inclusive and equitable talent identification and development process.