my story
I’m Karim Tayara
Football has always been at the heart of who I am. Growing up, like so many young boys around the world, I dreamt of becoming a professional football player. Although I didn’t quite have the skills to make it as a pro, my love for the game never wavered. I was determined to stay connected to the sport that inspired me.
As a devoted Inter Milan fan, I idolized their legendary coach, José Mourinho. His brilliance during the historic 2009-2010 treble-winning season left an indelible mark on me. That moment sparked a fire in me to follow in his footsteps. If I couldn’t play the game at the highest level, I could dedicate myself to understanding it. I decided to pursue a degree in Sports Science, just as Mourinho did, to turn my passion into my purpose.
In 2011, I graduated high school, packed my bags, and set off for London to study Sports Science at Brunel University. During my time there, I immersed myself in learning everything about football, coaching, and performance. In my second year, I took my first step into coaching by earning the English FA Level 2 Certificate in Football Coaching—a milestone that deepened my passion and strengthened my resolve to build a career in football.
Determined to gain experience, I sent my CV to every football club in London. One day, I received an email from my university placement director about an opportunity with West Ham United FC’s Academy. They were hiring students for the 2013-2014 season, and I leapt at the chance, sending in my CV immediately. After two nerve-wracking interviews, I was thrilled to be offered the role of Sports Science Placement Student. It was a dream come true—the beginning of my journey in professional football.
Working at West Ham’s Academy was an extraordinary experience. I soaked up knowledge about coaching, performance analysis, sports science, and even psychology. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I knew it. After completing the season, I continued to work part-time at West Ham, coaching their pre-academy U9s and U10s while finishing my degree.
My final-year dissertation focused on the use of music to enhance performance among professional football players, using West Ham’s U18 and U23 players as participants. To my delight, this research was later published in the Journal of the American Psychology Association.
In 2015, I graduated from Brunel University with First-Class Honours in Sports Science. Shortly after, I was offered a full-time role at West Ham’s Academy, where I worked as a Sports Scientist for their U23 team, a Video Analyst for the Ladies First Team, and a pre-academy coach. During this time, I had the privilege of working with world-class coaches and players, including the now-famous Declan Rice. It was an unforgettable chapter in my journey.
In 2017, I returned to the UAE, the place where I was born and raised, to continue chasing my dreams in football. By 2018, I joined the UAE Football Association as a Performance and Video Analyst for the youth national teams. This role was a turning point in my career. I honed my skills as a coach and analyst, earned my UEFA B License, and spearheaded a project to integrate advanced video analysis technology into the UAE’s football programs. What started as a solo effort is now a well-established system, with analysts supporting every youth national team using world-class software and tools.
Since 2021, I’ve had the honor of working with the UAE First National Team as a Video Analyst, competing on the international stage. My dream now is to help the UAE achieve the ultimate goal: qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.
Every step of this journey has been driven by passion, perseverance, and an unrelenting love for the game. Football is more than a sport—it’s a way of life, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to contribute to it.
