Swansea pull off Jamestown Analytics ‘coup’ amid recruitment revamp

The deal will give Swansea access to bespoke, industry-leading analytics to sit alongside their existing scouting operations as they refine their player-trading model.

The announcement comes just days after the Championship side confirmed a significant backroom restructure, with the appointment of Ben Stevens as Sporting Director and the promotion of Jay Lefevre to Head of Recruitment.

Stevens has joined from Crystal Palace, where he spent more than 11 years, most recently as Assistant Sporting Director, while Lefevre has been promoted to Head of Recruitment after arriving from Celtic as Chief Scout in December 2025.

Lefevre, who will report into Stevens, has already led preparations for the summer window, with the praising him for the clarity and quality of his work.

Jamestown Analytics’ services cover player valuations, recruitment targeting, Head Coach recruitment and opposition analysis, delivering proprietary insights that go beyond publicly-available statistics.

Swansea Chief Executive Tom Gorringe described the deal as “a real coup,” highlighting Jamestown’s track record with partner clubs and the fact that the firm works with only an exclusive list.

“This partnership is a real coup for the club,” he said. “Jamestown are widely regarded as leaders in data-led player recruitment, and we have seen the success that many of their partner clubs have achieved over recent times.

“Jamestown only works with an exclusive list of clubs and we are honoured to now join that group.”

Stevens added: “From my initial conversations with the club I was excited about the plans and this partnership is a big part of that. I have always been data focused when it comes to decision making, and so having access to this industry leading system provides us with great opportunities for the future.”

Lefevre said: “I am really looking forward to working with Jamestown Analytics as a world leader in their field with a proven track record for player identification and recruitment. As a club we are always looking for ways in which we can improve, and we feel that this partnership gives us an extra edge.”

The timing is significant, with Swansea entering the new cycle with a more settled squad. For the first time in several years, all their key senior players are under contract. This stability will allow the club to shift emphasis toward targeted additions and efficient player trading rather than a wholesale rebuild.

The partnership is designed to enhance identification of players who fit Swansea’s model while improving valuation accuracy and reducing risk in the transfer market.

It will not signal a complete move away from traditional scouting, with Lefevre’s team continuing to provide on-the-ground insight and relationship-building, with Jamestown supplying advanced metrics, predictive modelling and valuation frameworks.

Meanwhile, there have been a number of changes to Vitor Matos’s coaching staff at Swansea. Assistant Ryan Maye has left tby mutual consent, while Pedro Pereira has been appointed as the new Head of Goalkeeping, having previously worked with Matos at Red Bull Salzburg and Porto.

Andy Mangan, who worked as a first-team consultant at the club last season, will also not be returning.