Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman to leave club

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is leaving the club with immediate effect.

The departure is a board of directors’ decision to move forward without him.

Director of football Florent Ghisolfi has led Sunderland’s football set-up since July and was central to building the team and operation that is currently succeeding in the Premier League.

The Sunderland hierarchy feel the exit marks an organic end to Speakman’s time at the club and the conclusion of a transitional period, rather than the start.

Speakman joined Sunderland in December 2020 and has overseen the club’s rise from League One back to the Premier League during his five years at the club.

He moved to the club following 14 years at Birmingham City in a newly-created role at the Stadium of Light. The club stated upon his appointment that he would be responsible for “player identification, development and acquisitions across the first team and academy”.

Sunderland won promotion from League One to the Championship in 2022 following four years in the second tier.

Regis Le Bris was appointed in 2024 and led the club to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2025. After a busy summer in which 15 new players joined the club, Sunderland have established themselves in the top flight this season and sit 11th in the table, 12 points clear of the relegation zone.