Dominic Jordan Leaves Manchester United
Dominic Jordan, Manchester United's Director of Data Science, has left the club after a two-year stint. Jordan joined the Red Devils in March 2022 from retailer N Brown Group, tasked with revolutionizing the club's data-driven approach to on-field success.
United had previously lagged behind in the data science arena, and Jordan was instrumental in establishing a department from scratch. His key hires included Head of Data Operations Chris Shumba, Machine Learning Scientist Andrew Davies, Decision Scientist Alex Kleyn, and Data Scientist Max Adema.
However, following the arrival of INEOS as minority shareholders and primary football decision-makers in February, Jordan's tenure has come to an end.
Jordan's Accomplishments and Departure
During his time at Old Trafford, Jordan spearheaded innovative algorithms and industry-leading metrics, profoundly impacting all football departments. He credits his team, comprising Shumba, Davies, Kleyn, and Adema, as the driving force behind his accomplishments.
In a LinkedIn post, Jordan expressed gratitude for his colleagues' support and willingness to embrace new technologies and ideas. He emphasized the strong bonds he forged with his team, describing them as the finest he has ever assembled.
Jordan acknowledged the unwavering support of his family, who stood by him through demanding work schedules and emotional highs and lows. He plans to take a break, spend time with his family, pursue personal projects, and explore new professional challenges.
Manchester United's Evolving Landscape
Since the arrival of INEOS, Manchester United has undergone significant behind-the-scenes changes. Dan Ashworth has been appointed Sporting Director from Newcastle United, while Jason Wilcox has joined as Technical Director from Southampton.
Erik ten Hag's coaching staff has also been revamped, with the additions of Rene Hake, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Jelle ten Rouwelaar, and Andreas Georgson.
The Future of Data in Football
Jordan's departure highlights the growing importance of data science in modern football. Clubs are increasingly investing in data-driven decision-making to gain a competitive edge on the pitch and in the transfer market.
The Premier League is at the forefront of this data revolution, with teams like Manchester City and Liverpool leading the way. The use of data is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, providing clubs with valuable insights into player performance, injury prevention, and tactical analysis.
While Dominic Jordan's time at Manchester United has come to an end, his legacy will undoubtedly continue to shape the club's approach to data science in the years to come.
