Newcastle United Appoints Sudarshan Gopaladesikan New Technical Director

Newcastle United has appointed Sudarshan Gopaladesikan as their new technical director, a role focused on leading football data operations across the men's, women's, and academy teams. Gopaladesikan, known as Suds, joins from Atalanta where he was director of football intelligence and played a key role in the club's recent successes, including winning the Europa League and securing top-five Serie A finishes. His work will complement the club's coaching staff, including manager Eddie Howe, and involve collaboration with performance, medical, analysis, methodology, and recruitment teams. Rather than replacing former sporting director Paul Mitchell, who left by mutual consent earlier this year, Gopaladesikan will report to a yet-to-be-appointed sporting director as part of a broader restructuring. Previously, he was head of sports data science at Benfica, contributing to tactical and data-driven scouting efforts. Gopaladesikan expressed enthusiasm about joining Newcastle, praising the passionate fanbase and the club's unique connection with the city and supporters.