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David Bruce leaving SAFC


Going to a CEO is effectively having someone who runs the business and reports back to the owners who can then take a more hands off role.

Allows KLD to effectively do what JS seems to do.
 
Is KLD taking a step back? Feels like it's heading that way. Much talk about bringing in better, but the fact that it's a major restructure seems to be the bigger story tbh.
From the outside looking in, its been apparent that he's known he needs the strongest possible team he can attract as that's what leads to long term success. Not just finding a pile of cash and throwing it at a manager and hoping.
He's surprised us a few times in replacing people who seemed to be doing a decent-enough job, or even a very good job - as he must see there's levels to the game, and he wants us to keep moving up.

And he may well see himself in this, that he's got a level too, and so he should replace himself in certain matters too. Its a risk, but so is doing nothing.
 
Bruce's most identifiable skills given his job history so far, and his performance here, are in marketing. And he's been unquestionably good at it. However, the skillset for a CEO who could be involved in noegoatiations with multinationals re sponsorship deals. handling large svale finance/treasury issue in conjunction with a CFO (especially where there potentially major construction projects in the pipeline), etc, is significantly wider. Put simply, the size and complexity of a PL club may have outgrown Bruce's skillset.
 
I met Bruce a few years ago who when he was at MLS - he was speaking at an event and I got chatting to him afterwards.

A great bloke, clearly very good at what he does and a proper, dyed-in-the-wool Sunderland supporter. I was delighted to see him end up at the club and I think he has done and extraordinary job. Really sad to hear this.

I’ve met him a few times at events and his passion for the club and city progressing was clear. That will be a big loss whoever comes in IMO
 
No doubt KLD and his very closest advisors will give their senior staff goals/objectives/kpi’s
Add to that his interaction skills (internal and external) and nobody is forever at that level
I’ve said elsewhere KLD is a billionaire from a very very rich family as is the next largest shareholder, Sartori
These people dont go in for hugging sessions and staff renditions of kumbaya
Fuck knows how the Ticket Office Manager is still there then
 
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