There is a considerable body of research by that has investigated the coach–athlete relationship in sport. However, given the multi-disciplinary nature of modern elite coaching, there is a scarcity of research focusing on the relationship between coaches and other members of the coaching and support team. This study examined the perceptions of six elite professional football analyst’s relationships with their respective coaches. Semi structured interviews utilizing the COMPASS Framework were conducted focusing on Conflict, Openness, Motivation, Preventative Strategies, Assurance, Support, and Social Networks. The results verified that the COMPASS Model of relationship maintenance was applicable to this dyad. Content analysis indicated that there was 215 raw data units comprising of 16 higher order themes across the model which was further broken down into 29 lower order themes. All aspects of the model were found to contribute toward a positively maintained relationship. Having an open relationship underpinned by honesty and being able to provide an opinion was seen as the highest rated attribute that was closely followed by supporting the coach by understanding their requirements for successful coaching practice. Not meeting the coach’s expectations was found to cause conflict and was further highlighted by an inductive analysis that revealed the existence of a relationship that is fundamentally dictated by the coach. Implications of this investigation are that professionals which support elite performers need to set out clear expectations of working practice and hierarchies in order to minimize the chance of internal conflict that can impact on the service levels received by the performer.

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Elite football clubs have invested heavily in the use of video telestration software in recent years, however, little is known regarding the benefits of this technology in aiding players’ ability to recall events. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of video telestration in aiding memory recall of information amongst professional male football players. A randomised controlled trial was conducted, where an experimental group (n = 7) experienced telestration and a control group (n = 7) experienced no telestration over five sessions in 15 days. Following watching the telestrated or non-telestrated clips, each individual completed a questionnaire 24-hours later comprising of questions regarding possession, chances creation and set-piece. The study revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) in recall percentages for total recall, possession, chance creation and set-piece categories between the telestrated and non-telestrated groups. Set piece information was recalled the most when supplemented with video telestration and recalled the least in its absence (86.86% ± 7.20% vs 48.00% ± 9.24%). Subsequently, the results validate the investment in this technology, and it is suggested analysts and coaches should consider the use of telestration to support the wider performance analysis and coaching process to aid recall and facilitate player learning.