Latest news with #RossWilson
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Newcastle appoint new technical director - but are still hunting for Paul Mitchell replacement - as Magpies continue rebuilding backroom team
Newcastle have appointed a new technical director as they look to continue rebuilding their backroom staff ahead of the new season. The Magpies have been in a transitional period off-the-field, with former sporting director Paul Mitchell leaving his role after just one year and without making a signing at the club. It was announced in May that Mitchell would be leaving by 'mutual consent' at the end of June. However Mail Sport reported in June that the 43-year-old had overseen a handover. Though no one has been directly appointed to replace him, and the search for his replacement is being led by Nolan Partners. As revealed in June, Nottingham Forest chief Ross Wilson has been among the candidates and former Arsenal assistant sporting director Jason Ayto was to be spoken to by Nolan. Mail Sport also revealed that Julian Ward, Liverpool 's technical director, was another name in the frame. But Sudarshan Gopaladesikan has been appointed as the club's new technical director, and will report to a new sporting director once they have been appointed. They are still on the hunt for a replacement for Paul Mitchell, however, who left the club after just a year Gopaladesikan formerly worked with Atalanta, where he was the director of football intelligence. Newcastle say he will 'lead football data operations for our men's, women's and academy teams'. He said upon the move: '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. 'I'm excited to work alongside the club's talented staff to identify what helps give us a competitive edge. Most of all, I'm looking forward to experiencing the incredible matchday atmosphere at St. James' Park and being part of this proud football family and community.' He joined Italian side Atalanta in 2022, having previously worked with Benfica in Portugal. There, he worked as head of sports data science. The Athletic report he had a key role in Atalanta's signing of Rasmus Hojlund from Sturn Graz - a player the club went onto make profit of more than £50millon on. Newcastle, meanwhile, asked Andy Howe to work with Nickson as they look to build a squad capable of challenging on a domestic and European front this season. Howe, the nephew of head coach Eddie Howe, joined the Magpies in 2021 as head of technical scouting before being promoted to assistant head of first-team recruitment. He has played a key role in the signings of Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento and is well thought of within the club. Nickson and Andy Howe had absorbed the tasks that would have been the responsibility of Mitchell.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Sels eyes 'great moments' after signing new deal
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels says he hopes for more "great moments" after signing a new deal with the 33-year-old, who joined from Strasbourg in February of 2024, has agreed improved terms with the Reds as part of his new contract."I'm really happy," said Sels, who won the Premier League's Golden Glove award along with Arsenal's David Raya on 13 clean sheets in 2024-25."We had an amazing season last year and I was one small part of that, so I'm really happy to sign a new contract."Hopefully we can continue together and have some great moments again this season."I'm looking forward to playing in Europe because it's really something special. Playing in this stadium and playing in big games in the Premier League is also really special."Nottingham Forest's chief football officer, Ross Wilson, said: "Matz is an experienced goalkeeper who has been consistently performing at a high level for a number of years. He made a big impact on the team last season and is an important part of our group.""He has earned the new deal, and we're excited to see how he keeps improving and helping the team moving forward."
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Goalkeeper Sels signs new Nottingham Forest deal
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels has signed an improved deal at the City Ground. The 33-year-old has penned new terms which still keep him tied to Forest until 2027, but the club now hold a 12-month option to extend, sources have told BBC Sport. Sels won the Golden Glove with Arsenal's David Raya last season, keeping 13 clean sheets as Forest finished seventh in the Premier League, to return to Europe for the first time since said: "I'm really happy, we had an amazing season and I was one small part of that, so I'm really happy to sign a new contract. "Hopefully we can continue together and have some great moments again this season. This season I'm looking forward to playing in Europe because it's really something special."Former Newcastle goalkeeper Sels joined from Strasbourg for £5m in 2024 and has made 58 helped Forest to the FA Cup semi-finals, where they lost to Manchester City, and follows Chris Wood, Murillo and Neco Williams in signing a new contract at the club this football officer, Ross Wilson, said: "Matz is an experienced goalkeeper who has been consistently performing at a high level for a number of years. He made a big impact on the team last season and is an important part of our group."He has earned the new deal, and we're excited to see how he keeps improving and helping the team moving forward."On Friday, Forest also sold midfielder Danilo to Brazilian side Botafogo for about £18m.
Fashion United
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fashion United
G2 and Smiley tap into Gen Z's gaming-fashion nexus with collab
In an era where digital identity holds as much sway as physical presence, esports giant G2 Esports and the iconic pop symbol Smiley have joined forces to launch a limited-edition capsule collection targeting a generation where gaming and fashion increasingly overlap. The collaboration marks a first for Smiley, both in the esports space and in fully designing a gaming-led streetwear line. This could inspire a shift in how traditional lifestyle brands are reaching digitally native audiences. Launching exclusively online on July 17th, the G2 x Smiley collection offers a mashup of aesthetic codes: oversized graphics, summer-ready silhouettes, and a logo that fuses G2's signature samurai mask with Smiley's unmistakable yellow grin. The effect is something between irreverent optimism and digital warrior chic and will appeal to those fluent in meme culture and marathon Twitch streams. 'G2 is about pushing limits — in competition and creativity,' says Sabrina Ratih, COO of G2 Esports. 'We created something that's fun, daring, and unapologetically us.' Indeed, the launch is more than a fashion statement, t's a strategic branding play at the intersection of two cultural forces: esports and streetwear. G2, founded in 2015 and now with over 40 million global fans, is leveraging its momentum, including a seven-figure Series B raise and a growing media arm, to deepen its foothold in lifestyle. This collaboration follows a rising industry trend: fashion labels infiltrating gaming environments, not just through digital skins or sponsorships, but through tangible products worn IRL and URL. The capsule includes t-shirts, hoodies, and a limited-edition tufted rug, with an autumn/winter drop planned via pop-up retail later this year, complete with accessories, jeans, and more layering pieces. Love affair with gaming goes physical The fashion world's flirtation with gaming is fast becoming a full-blown relationship. According to Accenture, the global gaming industry is now worth over 320 billion dollars, surpassing film and music combined. For Gen Z, over 60 percent report engaging with fashion through digital channels like gaming and social media, with virtual self-expression increasingly mirroring (and influencing) physical wardrobe choices. From Balenciaga's Fortnite skins to Gucci's Roblox experiences, the convergence is undeniable. Yet few brands have married the offline with the online as natively as G2, which has evolved from competitive esports organization into a media-savvy lifestyle brand with credible fashion collaborations, including previous projects with Ralph Lauren and Adidas. 'Being playful is powerful,' says Ross Wilson, Chief Product Officer, Fashion at The Smiley Company. 'And G2 embodies that energy. They bring joy and fearlessness to their global community.' A new cultural lexicon for a new generation What makes the G2 x Smiley drop notable is its tone: optimistic, irreverent, and proudly self-aware. At a time when luxury houses struggle to capture the authenticity craved by Gen Z, G2's approach is refreshingly unfiltered. The brand wears its meme-savvy, post-ironic ethos on its sleeve, quite literally. This isn't G2's first foray into lifestyle, but it may be its most symbolically significant. As the organization marks its 10th anniversary in 2025, the Smiley collaboration serves as a bridge between fandom and fashion, gaming and IRL streetwear, and a glimpse into the future of cross-cultural brand expression.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hennessey becomes goalkeeper coach
Nottingham Forest have confirmed Wayne Hennessey will stay at the club following his retirement, joining Rui Barbosa's goalkeeping former Wales stopper made nine appearances for the Reds across two stints at the club."I am delighted to continue my journey at the club as part of the coaching staff, " Hennessey said."I really enjoyed my time as a player here and working with this incredible group."This marks a new chapter in my career, and I'm really looking forward to getting started in the role to help the team towards its goals."Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson, added: "Everyone at the club is pleased Wayne is staying with us in a coaching capacity. Wayne brings a lot to the goalkeeping group off the pitch and will now work with Rui Barbosa and the team to further develop our keepers."Matz had a great season last year, and he undoubtedly benefits from the support and guidance of someone like Wayne, who has significant experience at the top level."
