Newcastle United appoint Sudarshan Gopaladesikan as new technical director

New York Times

5 days ago

Newcastle United have appointed Atalanta's director of football intelligence Sudarshan Gopaladesikan as their new technical director.
Gopaladesikan will report into a new sporting director following Paul Mitchell's exit from the club last month. His role will see him lead the club's football data operations, working closely with Eddie Howe and his coaching staff and the club's performance, medical, analysis, methodology and recruitment teams, the club say.
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He will work across all sporting departments throughout the men's, women's and academy teams, they added.
'I'm delighted and honoured to be joining Newcastle United as technical director,' Gopaladesikan said. 'Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with clubs that have deeply passionate fanbases, and Newcastle stands out for its unique connection between the team, the city, and its supporters.
'I'm excited to work alongside the club's talented staff to identify what helps give us a competitive edge. Most of all, I'm looking forward to experiencing the incredible matchday atmosphere at St. James' Park and being part of this proud football family and community.'
Gopaladesikan joined Atalanta in 2022 from Benfica, where he had worked as head of sports data science.
A data specialist, The Athletic reported Gopaladesikan played a role in recommending Rasmus Hojlund when he was a relative unknown with Sturm Graz. Atalanta signed the striker for €17million (£14m; $18.3m at current rates) in August 2022 before selling him to Manchester United for an initial €75m (£63.7m; $81m) the following summer.
During his time with the Serie A club, Atalanta secured three successive top-five finishes and won the Europa League for the first time in their history.
Former sporting director Mitchell left the club in June, less than 12 months into his role. Last September, Howe was forced to insist there was no 'civil war' at Newcastle after Mitchell publicly criticised the club's recruitment process and questioned whether elements were 'fit for purpose in the modern game'.
The Athletic reported earlier this month that Jason Ayto and Ross Wilson had both held follow-up interviews to succeed Mitchell.
A former scout, Ayto had been with Arsenal for a decade and rose through the ranks to become assistant sporting director under Edu, leading an overhaul and modernisation of the club's recruitment department. When the Brazilian left Arsenal in November 2024, Ayto stepped up to become interim sporting director until the appointment of Andrea Berta. He left the club voluntarily at the end of last season.
Wilson has worked in senior positions at Southampton, Huddersfield Town, Watford, Falkirk and Rangers, who won their first league title for a decade during his tenure, and reached the Europa League final, before joining Forest in April 2023.