Newcastle United are searching for an 'elite' head of data and insight to build a 'world-leading' department.
Data has become a huge part of the game and this is an area Newcastle have invested time and resources in since the takeover, whether it is signing a multi-year deal with data and analytics provider StatsBomb or appointing Andy Forrester as a first-team data analyst after he previously built a product to help Premier League clubs make smarter decisions in player recruitment. Now the club are on the hunt for a department head to spearhead this new era.
According to the job advert, the new recruit will be tasked with constructing a 'world-leading data and insight' division made up of a team of data scientists, analysts and engineers. This department will support the club in using data to 'underpin decision-making and drive value in the transfer market'.
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Given how Newcastle have to make smart moves to comply with Financial Fair Play restrictions, this will clearly be a crucial position. It is not a surprise, then, that the new addition must have significant experience in 'elite sport in a similar leadership role'.
The head of data and insight will also work closely with the first-team, recruitment, academy and women’s departments to ensure that data and insights are incorporated into their decision-making processes. He or she will identify potential opportunities to 'leverage data' to help improve performance on the pitch and in recruitment as well as enabling all departments to create 'impactful insights' for coaches, players and recruitment and support staff from objective data and video. It goes without saying that Eddie Howe will welcome that input.
"Data is where the game is going," he told reporters earlier this season. "I don't think that trend will reverse - it will continue and probably go the other way and get more reliant on data for certain things.
"There needs to be a balance with it, though. Whether it is recruitment or looking at your own team's performance, your eye tells you some things. Data can maybe tell you some things you haven't seen. You put it together and try and come up with a plan for whatever subject you're looking at.
"I do personally believe in it. It can save you a lot of time in certain areas so, regarding recruitment, it can save you a lot of time looking at players that maybe you shouldn't be. Time in that field is so important so it's something I believe in and the people here believe in, and something we will try and utilise."
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