Arsenal's Knapper appointed Sporting Director of Norwich City
Ben Knapper: Has been Arsenal's Loans Manager since 2019
Written by Training Ground Guru — October 6, 2023
BEN KNAPPER is leaving Arsenal after 13 years to become the new Sporting Director of Norwich City.
He will replace Stuart Webber, who had held the role at Carrow Road for more than six years and been the dominant football figure at the club.
Knapper joined Arsenal in July 2010 as an Analyst and went on to become Lead Football Analyst, in 2015, and then Loan Manager, in February 2019. He is experienced in recruitment, loans and data and holds the Masters in Sporting Directorship from MMU.
Appearing on Episode #55 of the Training Ground Guru Podcast, former Arsenal Head of Analytics Sarah Rudd recently spoke about Knapper’s impact at the club.
“Ben was there from day one of StatDNA, so he is incredibly well versed in using data to analyse the game and now using it in a recruitment context,” she explained. “He focuses on loans, but I think he’s also involved in recruitment, particularly within the UK.”
Knapper will officially begin work at Norwich on November 27th, working through a handover period with Webber, who “will then transition out of the business.”
Ben Knapper spoke at TGG's 2022 Scouting and Recruitment Webinar. To find out more and to buy the recording, click the button below.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Norwich City,” Knapper said. “It is a club that I’ve admired from afar for a long time. My interactions and dealings with the club over the years have always been very positive.
"It is a club that has always left an impression on me, and I’ve been really impressed with how they operate. There are clearly some very good foundations already in place. I’m really looking forward to getting started, meeting everyone and contributing to the next chapter of success in the club’s journey.”
In a statement on behalf of the club’s Board, Executive Director Zoe Webber added: “We're excited to have Ben lead our football department and join our Executive Committee given the extensive expertise he gained at Arsenal, a team at the cutting edge of English football.
“We're all proud of the football infrastructure we've built and believe Ben's skillset and experience will take the club to the next level which we've been working hard towards.
“Throughout the interview process, we were all really impressed by Ben’s depth of knowledge and excellent reputation in the industry, as well as his hunger and desire to join our club.
“We’re sure all of our supporters will join us in welcoming Ben to the Norwich City family.”
Knapper appeared on TGG’s Scouting and Recruitment Webinar in 2022, discussing squad and managing pathways.
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