Head of Analysis and Insights Cremers exits Manchester City
Cremers first joined City in 2018 as Under-23s analyst
Written by Simon Austin — September 27, 2022
MANCHESTER CITY Head of Analysis and Insights Piet Cremers has left the Premier League champions after four-and-a-half years.
Cremers was promoted to the important role in July 2021 at the age of just 26 and became an influential member of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff. The Dutchman oversaw a team that analysed player performances in both training and matches using a combination of video and data.
In conjunction with the coaching staff, Cremers also did a lot of work on individual development, which has been a big focus for City in recent seasons.
As an insider told TGG last year: “For example they did a lot of work with Raheem Sterling - on the timing of his runs into the area, on the positions he should take up in the box and his shot selection.
“They used a combination of data, video analysis and one-on-one coaching. This was when Pep really realised that this approach to individual development could reap huge rewards.
“Piet has something of a hybrid role, because he integrates with the coaching team, data science and video analysis, but this is increasingly how the game is going at the highest levels.”
Cremers also worked closely with Carles Planchart - who has been Guardiola’s performance analyst and assistant since his time in charge of Barcelona B - and with Brian Prestidge’s data science (Insights) team.
Since leaving City, Cremers, now 27, has returned to his native Holland, where he is working and completing his Uefa A licence. No reason has been officially given for his exit.
Following the departure, City have promoted Harry Dunn to interim Head of Analysis while they decide how to permanently fill the vacancy. Dunn has been with the club for the last eight years as a first-team performance analyst.
Performance Director Simon Timson has recently put together a five-year performance strategy for the club, which incorporates performance analysis among a range of disciplines. The strategy puts forward a unified performance methodology spanning the men’s, women’s and Academy teams - as well as other clubs within the City Football Group.
Cremers joined City in January 2018 as Under-23s analyst after 18 months as a performance analyst with partner club NAC Breda. Prior to NAC he had worked for a season with Brentford and also for Excelsior Rotterdam and NEC Nijmegen in his homeland.
