Cardiff City have promoted Oli Moulton to the role of first-team performance analyst, adding to Brian Barry-Murphy's backroom staff. Moulton steps up after nearly two years within the club's academy structure, having joined Cardiff in September 2024.
The 2026/27 campaign marks a significant step forward for Moulton, who spent the previous nine months as the Bluebirds' U21 performance analyst before moving into the first-team setup in July. He replaces long-serving analyst Nicolas Yeung, who announced his departure last week after almost seven years in the job.
Yeung's farewell message
Yeung confirmed his exit with a statement, saying: "After almost seven years at Cardiff City, my time at the club has come to an end. I would like the thank the staff and players I’ve worked with over the years. This club gave me my first experience to work in professional football, and many more opportunities thereafter. I will be forever grateful for the experiences I’ve had and relationships I’ve made during this time."
He added: "Finally, I’d like to wish the club all the best for the future. Cardiff and South Wales will always be my second home. Diolch."
Summer of backroom changes
The appointment is the latest change to Cardiff's backroom structure during a summer of notable turnover. The Bluebirds have seen several staff members depart following last season's promotion back to the Championship, with long-serving analyst Matthew Jenkins leaving for Leeds United earlier in the summer. Jenkins had worked his way through Cardiff's academy before becoming head first-team performance analyst and played an important role during Barry-Murphy's first season in charge.
Former U21 boss Darren Purse has also left to take over as manager of Sligo Rovers, while U18 head coach Tom Hutton departed to join Aaron Ramsey's coaching staff at Oxford United. Both were regular fixtures and well respected within the club and are big shoes to fill. Goalkeeping coach Gavin Ward was also let go, with former Manchester City academy coach Imanol Etxeberria lined up as his replacement, though paperwork is still holding up an official announcement.
Reda Johnson has been drafted into the senior setup and has played a far more pronounced role on Barry-Murphy's staff so far this season, notably taking charge of both offensive and defensive set-pieces during matches.
Recruitment boost
Cardiff have simultaneously strengthened their recruitment operation, bringing in former Swansea City recruitment figure Dominic Newton as senior technical scout. Newton played a big hand in getting Championship Golden Boot winner Zan Vipotnik to Swansea, as well as their 2025 supporters' player of the year Goncalo Franco. He also played a role in the recruitment of Ethan Galbraith, who was sold to Stoke City this summer for £10m.
Cardiff supporters will hope Newton and the team, led by Paddy Deboys, can pull off three or four more transfer coups for the Bluebirds before the window closes on September 1. The club still have vacancies to address within their academy structure following the departures of Hutton and Purse, meaning the overhaul behind the scenes is likely to continue as Cardiff settle back into the second tier.
