England analysis duo leaving after combined 40 years

The duo were key members of Gareth Southgate’s staff as England reached the final of the Euros in 2020 and 2024 (pictured above) and the semis of the 2018 World Cup. The role of a Performance Analyst is to evaluate and prepare the team using a combination of video footage and data. 

Former England Under-15 and U16 Head Coach Dan Micciche has previously told TGG how pivotal O’Brien and Baker were within the national set-up. 

“Video analysis is massive – you can really paint pictures for players before training and games and reviewing as well, which can save your voice as a coach and get you into the topic of a session a lot quicker,” Micciche said.

“Knowing the back-room staff as well as I do, Gareth would have had a lot of excellent support from Steve O’Brien and Mike Baker, the analysts, who paint really clear pictures for the players. Steve’s practice design is outstanding.” 

However, the duo were not involved with the senior set-up during Lee Carsley’s time in interim charge of the side from August 2024 to January 2025, because the caretaker Head Coach preferred to bring James Ryder up with him from the U21s.

They did return under Thomas Tuchel and were part of the German’s staff for the March games against Albania and Latvia, but the England boss has his own Head of Analysis in James Melbourne and the FA are now expected to appoint new Performance Analysts.