Driving Sporting Success with Data: An Interview with the Sporting Director of FC Aarau Women
Since the summer of 2023, Marcello Stellato has overseen the strategic and athletic development of FC Aarau Women. With over 25 years of experience in professional football, he brings a high-performance philosophy to the women’s program. In this interview, he shares how data and GPS tracking have become central to the club’s development, decision-making, and daily operations.
“There’s a direct connection between structured monitoring and our on-field success. Compared to the previous season, we tripled our points total.”
“My career in professional football spans more than 25 years, during which I’ve held various roles in diverse settings. Since the summer of 2023, I’ve taken on the role of Sporting Director at FC Aarau Women. I’m responsible for all sporting matters across our teams, including our first team competing in Switzerland’s top division, the Super League.”
With a vision focused on competitive excellence, Stellato emphasizes performance as the foundation of the club’s philosophy: “Our mission has always been to lead the way in elite women’s football in the Aargau region. We want to be the first point of contact for ambitious female athletes who are highly driven and want to reach the top.”
Technology is seen as a critical element of that journey: “Implementing KINEXON has been a key factor in reaching our goals.”
Strategic Use of Performance Data
“The search for a performance data tool was driven by the need to gain a competitive advantage. We believe that even a 1% improvement in performance can significantly impact competitive outcomes.”
As a Sporting Director, Stellato values the objectivity data brings: “Now I have an evidence-based tool to support discussions with players. Having hard data at hand adds clarity and credibility.”
“There’s a clear separation of duties between myself and the strength & conditioning coach. But in our weekly 1‑on‑1 meetings, data is a key part of the discussion.”
While not decisive in contract negotiations, performance data still plays a role: “Talent and mentality are what truly matter during contract talks. However, we use measurable objectives — like sprint speed with the ball — as qualitative goals rather than bonuses based on match points.”
Budgeting also reflects the value of tech investments: “In elite football, results drive everything. If the team performs, we achieve our sporting objectives — and that unlocks the resources to invest further in data tools.”
“The biggest advantages of GPS tracking lie in monitoring player workloads during training sessions and in supporting the coaching team’s decisions on player readiness — independent of a player’s talent.”
The impact is measurable: “This season, we’ve seen a noticeable drop in player injuries. KINEXON contributes to minimizing the risk of injury and improving player availability in a meaningful way.”
Performance, Collaboration, and Development
“There’s a direct connection between structured monitoring and our on-field success. Compared to the previous season, we tripled our points total.”
This success wasn’t accidental. “Of course, we brought in talented players — but KINEXON also made a significant difference in our players’ physical conditioning.”
“The data is critically important for talent development. It enables us to support each player with an individualized and long-term approach.”
Stellato emphasizes that today’s decisions are no longer instinctive: “They are based on objective data — and that process happens every day and continues week after week.”
Looking Ahead
“Football is in the middle of a technological revolution. The role and efficiency of AI will grow significantly in the future.”
Looking ahead, Stellato emphasizes the importance of thoughtful planning when adopting performance tools: “Finding the right budget is essential. If you want to invest in athlete monitoring systems, you must prioritize the allocation of funds.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my experience. Technologies like KINEXON are crucial, but they work best when integrated into a thoughtful, people-focused performance philosophy.”
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