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Speakman gone


Blyth said:
Bizarre take like. The whole club is “this is Sunderland” and the words “connected” and he’s showing along with RLB and KLD he is. You’d much rather have a director of football be involved with the first team and having that type of connection then sitting in a board room or being in a different country.

He’s the next target cos people don’t like the way he talks or interacts with players.

High fiving players and talking to them, embracing them probably isn’t in his job description, but it probably does mean he understands what the squad needs, it helps new signings feel welcomed, what the head coach needs in terms of facilities, structure and players.
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Is it really that bizarre? He’s building a squad. He’s sorting contracts. He’s deciding on the long term pathway for these players. He’s also thinking about the replacements that are potentially already in the building and how they’ll be taking the jobs of the first XI within time. My own preference is that is done with a little distance. Motivation on a match day really doesn’t fall within his remit. And to be fair I did say that this is very much a personal preference.

What’s perhaps more important is the other part of that post. Ghisolfi simply cannot afford to be as first XI focused as he has appeared so far. His remit has got a hell of a lot bigger today.
 
deodrant2 said:
No statement from the club?
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Here.
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Key part is this:

'With Premier League status restored and a strengthened football leadership structure in place, the Board of Directors has made the decision to continue the Club’s journey without Kristjaan.

Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi will continue to lead Sunderland’s sporting programme after assuming control of all football operations in July 2025."

Sounds like he was sacked cos Ghisolfi has been doing his job all this year.
 
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DurhamMackem92 said:
Had a feeling this was coming.

Speakman has done an absolutely incredible job. His leadership has taken us out from the pit to a competitive premier league team. Thankyou
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I'm not sure he gets that credit. Think without Ghisolfi we would probably have been a Championship club next season.

Very little Premier League quality in his signings. Very good job given his budget but also very lucky to get promoted, he was not scouting Mukiele, Alderette, Mandava, Le Fee, Xhaka, Bobby, Isidor etc..

I will always remember him for taking a punt on Anderson and Hjelde because they had a left foot and my favourite Hemir (He-man) on a five year deal. His legacy to me will be tied with what Seelt achieves in the game... A solid championship player for a championship recruit er.

Good luck to him in future as ultimately he helped bring us back to life.
 
martinsmithsonofpele said:
Here.
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Key part is this:

'With Premier League status restored and a strengthened football leadership structure in place, the Board of Directors has made the decision to continue the Club’s journey without Kristjaan.

Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi will continue to lead Sunderland’s sporting programme after assuming control of all football operations in July 2025."

Sounds like he was sacked cos Ghisolfi has been doing his job all this year.
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No attempt to infer this was a mutual decision in that statement. Strange timing though.
 
Mad Max said:
Strange timing, you'd expect he's been offered another job so wouldn't be surprised to see him back at Birmingham now they have mega money.

Very good for us though, some downs but plenty more ups and we definitely wouldn't be in the premier league now without the foundations he's built.
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It’s not strange timing at all though really. Not in his line of work. It gives him time to find a new club and then put a transfer list/strategy in place for that club, before the summer.
 
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