Case Study - SAMSUNSPOR

Data-Driven Coach Analysis: Why Samsunspor Identified Thorsten Fink via COACHINSIDE.

"When a club needs to make a decision about its head coach, you naturally rely on your network and already have certain names in mind. However, using the objective information and analysis provided by COACHINSIDE allowed us to evaluate several candidates, even unknown ones, to determine whether they fit our concept. It is not about COACHINSIDE delivering the one perfect candidate. Rather it provides extensive details into your ideas and even introduces new potential coaches. The support over the past few days has been excellent and we also benefited from the experience of the COACHINSIDE team"

(Fuat Capa, Technical Director Samsunspor) 

"It is great to see that COACHINSIDE provided valuable insights during the process of hiring a new head coach, especially when such a decision has to be made mid-season under significant time pressure. Receiving detailed information and analysis on several coaches within a short timeframe, including editorial content, is a key element of COACHINSIDE."

(Michael Pauls, Head of Sales & Customer Success COACHINSIDE)

As Samsunspor has been using COACHINSIDE since 2024, any decisions currently made regarding the technical staff can be prepared with valuable information. Since the club has followed a clear philosophy for several years, potential coaches can be continuously monitored and analyzed to assess whether they meet the club’s main criteria.

Thorsten Fink

The appointment of Thorsten Fink as head coach of Samsunspor represents a clear example of a data-driven coaching decision supported by in-depth performance and tactical analysis. Rather than focusing solely on short-term results, the evaluation was based on underlying match data, game model compatibility and development indicators.

Throughout his career, Fink has consistently emphasized a proactive, possession-oriented style of football. His teams typically operate in structured formations such as a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1, although he has also implemented systems with a back three. A significant proportion of his teams’ goals have come from ball recoveries and structured possession phases. A key characteristic of his game model, in addition to a high rate of ball possession, is intensive and vertical attacking play.

Out of possession, he focuses on identifying the right moments to press and attack the opponent. His teams are often characterized by high-intensity pressing values.

Especially during his time in Austria, Switzerland and Belgium, he placed considerable trust in young players, reflected in a high share of U23 playing time. His overall experience is extensive, not only as a head coach but also through his collaboration with renowned managers such as Trapattoni and Hitzfeld.

COACHINSIDE is the leading platform for professional measurement and analysis of coach performance. Since 2023, clubs, associations, agencies and media partners worldwide have used COACHINSIDE to close the gap between coach scouting and player scouting.