The key figure has switched to Manchester United from one of Jim Ratcliffe’s other major sports investments, already affecting recruitment at Old Trafford
Manchester United’s recruitment team was boosted by the arrival of a key former alliance at Lewis Hamilton. Michael Sansoni has worked for the Mercedes team for more than a decade in Formula 1, contributing to eight team championships and six of the seven titles Britt Hamilton won.
A huge amount of data is collected and analyzed in every F1 race, and Sansoni has extensive experience in deciphering it. During his stay at Mercedes, he rose to the position of performance engineer, particularly working with Hamilton.
However, he left the team. This is one-third of Jim Ratcliffe’s owned by Ineos Petrochemicals Company, which was earlier this year for the move to British billionaires’ flagship investment. Sansoni is confirmed as the club’s new data director.
“The report to Sansoni CEO Omar Berrada is responsible for transforming the club’s capabilities into data and artificial intelligence, and is based on its experience in machine learning and advanced modeling in Formula 1,” the club’s statement read.
“He has been tasked with establishing Manchester United as a data-driven organization, embedding forecast and AI-driven decisions across football and the wider club. To support these objectives, more adoption is planned for many data, software and platform engineering roles in the coming months as Sansoni builds his team.”
And it appears that their new recruits have begun in earnest. In a post on social media site LinkedIn, Sansoni proposed that two of Man United’s two major summer signatures have so far been identified as a result of data-driven efforts, having acquired Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo to the Forward Old Trafford Club for a total of £135 million.
read more: F1 aims for another major change with the reverse grid where discussions with drivers are plannedread more: Jadon Sancho’s transfer interest confirmed that the club’s chief will break the silence – “I want him.”
He writes: “I’m very fortunate to have had not only one, but two dream jobs. After an incredible time in Formula 1, it’s a privilege to be part of the biggest club in world soccer.
“Over the past few months we have already made meaningful progress, with new methodologies beginning to take shape, with two great signatures, Mateus Cunya and Brian Mbemo already reflecting some of their early work.
“I inherited a great team. They’re smart, committed, making a difference, and together they’re building world-class data and AI capabilities to make decisions across the football and the wider club. The challenges are great, but there are opportunities too.”
Man United also added Benjamin Sesco this summer, signing a striker for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig in transactions worth up to £74 million. And they are deeply tied to the dive of Brighton midfielder Carlos Valleva, who willingly direct a substantial transfer fee if Segal were willing to sell.
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