A bombshell at AFC Sunderland: The Premier League newcomers have parted ways with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman with immediate effect. Under the 47-year-old’s leadership, the Black Cats had mastered their return from the third to the first division.
The fact that AFC Sunderland, after years of dreariness, has not only been back in the Premier League since the summer but is also shaking up England’s top flight is closely linked to the name Kristjaan Speakman. The 47-year-old joined the Black Cats as sporting director in December 2020, when they were in danger of becoming the gray mouse of League One for the third consecutive season in the third division.
Under the Englishman’s sporting leadership, AFC instead achieved promotion to the Championship the following year and, thanks to coach Regis de Bris, installed by Speakman, recently made its long-awaited return to the Premier League. There, the team from the east coast is in 11th place after 26 games and is proving to be a tough nut to crack, especially at their home ground, the Stadium of Light: AFC lost their first home game on Tuesday against Liverpool FC (0-1).
After just over five years, however, Sunderland has now announced its separation from Speakman. The architect of the club’s recent success story—the club thanks him, among other things, for a “comprehensive overhaul of the club’s football operations, redesigning the infrastructure for recruitment and performance and restoring competitiveness”—is leaving AFC with immediate effect.
Club owner: “The realignment phase is now complete”
“Kristjaan has made a significant contribution to Sunderland AFC during a period of significant change and growth, helping to rebuild the club and restore its place in the Premier League,” club owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is quoted as saying in the statement. “Over the past five years, a solid foundation has been laid for our entire football operation, and this phase of realignment is now complete. Looking ahead, we are focused on building on this strong position, with a clear direction and sustainable progress.”
Speakman’s duties as sporting director will be taken over for the time being by Florent Ghisolfi, who has been in charge of all football operations as director of football since July.
