Swansea City Turn to Crystal Palace Executive Ben Stevens as New Sporting Director
Swansea City have officially confirmed the appointment of Ben Stevens as the club’s new sporting director, ending a lengthy search for a senior football executive to oversee the club’s sporting operations and long-term strategy.
Stevens arrives at the Championship side after a successful spell with Crystal Palace, where he most recently served as assistant sporting director. His appointment represents a significant addition to Swansea’s leadership structure as the Welsh club looks to strengthen its football department and build a platform for future success.
Having joined Crystal Palace in 2024 as assistant sporting director, Stevens worked closely alongside former sporting director Dougie Freedman. Prior to that promotion, he spent more than a decade at Selhurst Park as the club’s head of performance and recruitment analysis, earning a strong reputation for his work in player identification, scouting processes, and data-driven recruitment strategies.
His responsibilities expanded further when Freedman departed Palace to take up a role with Saudi Arabian side Al-Diriyah last year. During that transitional period, Stevens stepped in to help oversee key sporting operations, gaining valuable experience in a leadership capacity.
Swansea had been without a permanent sporting director since the departure of former director of football Richard Montague in September last year. Montague’s exit came only seven months after his arrival, leaving a significant vacancy within the club’s football hierarchy. The restructuring continued earlier this year when former head of recruitment and analytics Adam Worth also left the club in April, increasing the need for a long-term appointment capable of bringing stability and direction to Swansea’s sporting project.
Stevens is scheduled to officially begin his new role on July 10 and expressed enthusiasm about the challenge ahead. Reflecting on his appointment, he highlighted the breadth of experience he has accumulated across various football organizations during the last two decades and stated that those experiences have equipped him with the skills necessary to help Swansea maximize its potential both on and off the pitch.
The new sporting director also emphasized his belief in Swansea’s long-term vision, describing the club as one with considerable untapped potential. He spoke positively about the opportunity to unite different departments within the organization and work collectively toward achieving sustained success in the coming years.
Swansea chief executive Tom Gorringe welcomed the appointment and explained that the club had been highly selective throughout the recruitment process. According to Gorringe, Swansea were prepared to make an appointment only if they identified a candidate who genuinely matched the club’s values, ambitions, and strategic direction.
Gorringe praised Stevens’ contribution to Crystal Palace during one of the most successful periods in the London club’s history, noting that his experience at the Premier League side made him an attractive candidate for Swansea. He added that the club deliberately delayed the formal announcement out of respect for both Stevens and Crystal Palace, allowing Palace’s season and their recent European achievements to conclude before confirming the move.
The appointment signals an important step in Swansea City’s efforts to reshape and strengthen their football operations as they aim to compete more effectively in the Championship and pursue their longer-term ambitions of returning to the Premier League. With extensive experience in recruitment, analytics, and sporting management, Stevens will be expected to play a key role in guiding the club’s football strategy and future development.
