Sunderland have taken one of the first steps to executing new owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus' vision for the club by appointing James Young as the new Head of Data and Analysis.

Dreyfus delivered a five-point plan to the Sunderland Supporters’ Collective last week, with one of his visions being for the club to commit to 'evidence-based decision making embracing data and technology'.

A high-level data and analytics program had been missing from the club and the first step to putting that right was the hiring of Kristjaan Speakman in December as sporting director to oversee all developments at the club.

And just 24 hours after Dreyfus was confirmed as the Black Cats' new owner in February, an advert appeared with the club looking for a person to head up their new program, and Young is the man they've chosen.

 

 

 

 

A Loughborough University graduate, Young has experience in performance analytics at the likes of Deloitte but also in a sporting capacity too.

Young worked with Team GB at the Olympic Games and also with successful rugby team Saracens, who have won multiple Premiership and Heineken Cup titles with Young working for them.

Along with a new Head of Recruitment that is starting work in mid-April, these are exciting times for Sunderland going forward and fans seem pleased to have Young on board.