AI robots set to replace Prem managers as tactics from artificial intelligence is almost always better, new study says

FOOTBALL tactics devised by artificial intelligence are almost always better than those from humans, according to a study.

The shock result means managers might eventually be replaced by bots, paving the way for Alexa Ferguson.

Getty

TacticAI looked at more than 7,000 corner kicks taken by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side[/caption]

How a robot manager might look

A coaching tool from Google DeepMind looked at more than 7,000 corner kicks taken by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side, then came up with some new routines.

Analysts from the Premier League giants were shown different set-ups, without knowing which were real, and preferred 45 out of 50 — a thumping 90 per cent — from the bot coach.

Google DeepMind’s Zhe Wang believes the tool, called TacticAI, “lays the groundwork for the next-generation AI assistant for football”.

Wang said: “TacticAI is able to accurately predict the first receiver after a corner is taken as well as the probability of a shot as the direct result of the corner.

“It has been shown to produce plausible tactical variations that improve outcomes, while being indistinguishable from real scenarios by experts.”

Wang and colleagues designed TacticAI to work as an assistant coach.

They reckon it could be used for other set-pieces such as throw-ins, as well as other sports.

Previous research has focused on how AI is used to analyse players’ performances on the pitch.