Sudarshan Gopaladesikan, an Indian-origin performance expert, has joined Newcastle United’s football operations team as Technical Director (Support Services). While he will not be directly involved in player transfers, Gopaladesikan’s role will focus on a crucial aspect of modern football — enhancing player fitness, recovery, and overall readiness.
His appointment marks a rare moment of Indian representation within the technical setup of a Premier League club.
“I’m delighted and honoured to be joining Newcastle United as Technical Director. 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,” Gopaladesikan said.
Gopaladesikan’s journey began with an internship at Infosys in India, before he moved to the United States to pursue a PhD in biokinesiology and physical therapy at the University of Southern California. There, he specialised in human movement, injury prevention, and performance analytics.
His first break in professional sport came with Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers. From there, he joined the English Institute of Sport, where he supported Olympic athletes and various high-performance programmes.
He later entered football through Manchester City’s City Football Group, serving as Lead Data Scientist. In that role, he focused on using data to maximise player performance and reduce injury risks. After his stint at City, he moved to Chelsea, where he was appointed Head of Sports Science and Data.
At just 36, Gopaladesikan now takes the next step in his career with Newcastle United.
“Sudarshan is an innovative, forward-thinking leader with experience across multiple sports,” said Newcastle CEO Darren Eales. “He brings a track record of elite performance and will be an integral part of our future.”
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