Sudarshan Gopaladesikan during his introduction at Newcastle last week. Photo: NUFC

Last week, Newcastle announced a new signing. It wasn't Hugo Ekitike, who chose Anfield over St. James’ Park, nor was it a renowned striker to replace a potentially departing Alexander Isak. Newcastle's newest acquisition is Sudarshan Gopaladesikan. Known as "Sud", the 33-year-old will serve as the club's technical director.

Sud built his reputation at Benfica. Unlike homegrown talents like Joao Felix or Ruben Dias, Sud's path to football was unconventional. With an engineering degree from Microsoft and a brief stint at Real Madrid, his career took a turn when Benfica offered him a position.

At Benfica, Sud thrived. He was instrumental in establishing the club's Sports Science Department, contributing to scouting, player exchanges, transfers, tactical analysis, and player development.

Sud's expertise led him to Atalanta, a club undergoing a period of decline. Their 8th-place finish in Serie A in 2022 was their worst in nearly a decade under manager Gian Piero Gasperini. Departures in the front office further complicated matters. New owner Steve Pagliuca, recognized the need for change. He appointed Tony D’Amico, known for his ability to generate profit for budget-conscious clubs, as sporting director. Lee Congerton, with experience at Leicester and Celtic, was also brought in, adding international experience to the new management team.

Pagliuca, a data-driven decision-maker, prioritized establishing a Data and Analytics Department. This was crucial given his reliance on objective reports, statistics, and documented evidence, a practice evident in his leadership of the Boston Celtics. Congerton, understanding Pagliuca's approach, knew exactly who to recruit for the task.

"Through personal connections, I brought him from Benfica to Atalanta," Congerton said, referring to Sud. "His time at Benfica broadened his football knowledge. And here, he gave me a more comprehensive perspective on many transfer issues."

A prime example of Sud's impact is Ademola Lookman's signing in the summer of 2022. While Congerton knew Lookman from Leicester and believed his versatility suited Gasperini's attacking style, the Nigerian forward wasn't a highly sought-after player. Lookman's journeyman career, spanning Charlton, Everton, Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester, had diminished his market value. Furthermore, Leipzig's preference for Lois Openda over Lookman as Christopher Nkunku's replacement further lowered his perceived worth.

Lookman celebrates victory after the 3-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, in the Europa League final on 22/5/2024. Photo: Reuters

Consequently, Lookman, then 24, was available for 11.75 million USD. This prompted Sud to analyze data across different leagues, evaluating Lookman's performance and predicting his suitability for Atalanta's system. Contrary to popular opinion, Sud's model ranked Lookman as the best in his position, surpassing stars like Mohamed Salah, Bukayo Saka, and Raphinha.

Three years later, Lookman's value has increased fivefold, with Atalanta reportedly seeking 58.7 million USD from Inter. This reflects his 52 goals and assists over three seasons, culminating in a Europa League title and a Man of the Match performance in the final. Lookman's hat-trick in Dublin secured Atalanta's first major trophy in nearly 60 years, also earning him the 2024 African Player of the Year award.

"Sud is key to developing our cutting-edge statistical analysis program," Pagliuca said. "These analyses enhance our player evaluation and match preparation. Atalanta has greatly benefited from his efforts. We're grateful for his dedication and the energy he brings to the club daily."

Another successful acquisition in the summer of 2022 was Rasmus Hojlund, an unknown talent from Sturm Graz, identified by Congerton and scout Gabriele Zamagna. The 24.7 million USD price tag for a teenager with limited top-flight experience was unusual for a frugal club like Atalanta. This bold move was driven by Sud's analysis. He mapped Hojlund's movement on the pitch and overlaid it with Atalanta's attacking patterns. The visual representation immediately impressed the club's leadership, demonstrating how the Danish striker seamlessly filled the gaps in their system.

Combined with Gasperini's knack for developing young players, Atalanta decided to invest in Hojlund. Less than a year later, they sold him to Man Utd for a record 90.5 million USD.

Rasmus Hojlund (center) celebrates his first Premier League goal, helping Man Utd come from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford, Manchester, on 26/12/2023. Photo: PA

Beyond advising Gasperini and club executives, Sud worked directly with players, particularly non-Italian speakers, helping them understand their strengths and tailor training programs. His connection with the players became integral to the club's culture. Atalanta was reluctant to let him go, but Newcastle's persistence prevailed.

At Newcastle, Sud will build a research and data analysis department modeled after Liverpool's. His vision extends beyond modeling Newcastle's playing style, based on Eddie Howe's philosophy, and developing algorithms to identify suitable players. He aims to enhance match preparation and analysis without disrupting the club's overall direction. This includes personalized data analysis for players to maximize their potential within Howe's system. The club also seeks better insights for loaning players to teams with similar playing styles, aiming for their successful return to St. James’ Park or, at least, a higher resale value.

Sud faces a significant workload as Newcastle embraces data-driven approaches. But it's better late than never.

Vy Anh