Official: Newcastle appoint former Atalanta executive as new Technical Director | OneFootball

Premier League side Newcastle United have officially confirmed the appointment of former Atalanta executive Sudarshan Gopaladesikan as the club’s new technical director after a three-year spell in Bergamo.

Newcastle appoint ex-Atalanta director Gopaladesikan

Gopaladesikan has spent the last three years as a director of football intelligence for Serie A outfit Atalanta, who have finished in the Champions League positions in two of those three years, including both of the most recent two campaigns, adding to their Europa League victory in 2024.

Gopaladesikan also has experience in Portugal with a five-year spell in Lisbon with Benfica.

Newcastle have confirmed that Gopaladesikan will now lead the club’s football data operations, and that he will report directly to the sporting director, a role that is currently vacant at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle United appoint ex-Atalanta executive Sudarshan Gopaladesikan as new Technical Director.

“Reporting into a new Sporting Director, Sudarshan – known as Suds – will 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,” a statement on the club website read.

“His role will be dedicated to implementing data-informed practices across all sporting departments throughout men’s, women’s and Academy teams.

“Suds joins the Magpies after leaving Italian side Atalanta BC, where he was Director of Football Intelligence. During his time in Bergamo, Atalanta secured three consecutive top five finishes in Serie A, won the UEFA Europa League and reached a Coppa Italia final.

“Prior to his move to Italy, he was Head of Sports Data Science at Portuguese side SL Benfica. In his five seasons in Lisbon, Benfica’s men’s team won the Primeira Liga title and reached the quarter-finals of both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, while Benfica’s women’s team won two national titles. Meanwhile, Benfica’s academy reached the UEFA Youth League final twice and won the 2021/22 edition of the tournament.”