Manchester City and SAP team up to bring technology to the touchline

Premier League champions Manchester City and cloud provider SAP have collaborate to bring innovative technology to the dugout during matches.

Following new rules to allow small technology devices at pitch side this season, City and SAP have extended their existing technology coverage to ensure they could bring players the latest tactics and insights as they prepare to step onto the pitch.

Manchester City’s women’s team uses the same technology as the men’s team, with stars like Steph Houghton, Jill Scott and Nikita Parris all using the SAP Challenger Insights mobile app as part of their pre-game preparations in all competitions and during matches.

Using a bespoke version of SAP Challenger Insights, City’s analysts load up tactical plans and opposition insights onto tablets in the lead-up to games, which players consult whilst training at the City Football Academy, in the Etihad Stadium dressing room on a matchday and now on the touchlines as well.

SAP Challenger Insights, part of the SAP Sports One solution, which has been specifically tailored for City’s setup, helps the Club build and plan set-pieces, communicate in-game tactical changes and deliver intuitive up-to-the-minute insights on the opposition using football data feeds. City’s coaches also use the software as a prompt when substitutes join the action.

The Club used SAP Challenger Insights throughout last season’s record-breaking title-winning campaign, but this is the first time that coaches and players have been able to use the mobile app as they step foot on the playing surface.