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Speakman gone


This was probably the plan all along, a lot of us asked what Ghisolfi's appointment meant for KS and it was probably just a temporary arrangement. He's done brilliantly for us and should have many opportunities to go in at another club looking to do similar - he should have his pick of the bunch.

Thanks to KS, he wasn't always popular but he was steadfast in his belief in the right way to do things and for that, he should be remembered as one of the central figures at the club from our rise from L1 to PL. All the best.
 
I have great difficulty in assessing the reasons for the success of a club, the impact of managers is overated and good players make good teams so if Speakman was responsible for assembling firstly last seasons promotion squad and this seasons hopefully top half squad then he deserves some thanks.
 
Guinness Guzzler said:
It would show your got an eye for recruitment/ good contacts in that area, but sporting director is about improving a lot of areas in the long term. Admittedly this is from AI but it lists the main functions roughly as the below, which I don't think you could demonstrate in a year or two:

Defining and implementing the club's overall playing philosophy/style/DNA — setting how the team plays from academy up to first team for consistency.

Long-term strategic planning — mapping out squad evolution over multiple seasons, not just the next window (e.g., age profiles, succession planning, financial sustainability).

Academy and youth development oversight — ensuring the pathway from youth to first team aligns with the senior setup, including talent progression and infrastructure.

Coaching staff appointments and alignment — hiring/firing managers/coaches who fit the philosophy, plus backroom staff (analysts, performance, medical) to support it.

Club-wide football operations integration — linking departments like scouting, analytics/data, performance science, medical, and recruitment so everything pulls in the same direction (the "360-degree strategy").

Providing continuity and stability — acting as the bridge between owners/board and changing managers to avoid constant resets when a coach leaves.

Recruitment strategy and model — building a coherent, data-driven system that fits the philosophy and budget, not just cherry-picking individuals.
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Suppose aye, you'd be right on that stuff being longer term. Think most of them get tired primarily on recruitment mind so doesn't surprise me people get offers pretty quickly.
joedurham said:
Do we know why he is leaving and if he has received an offer from another club?

Btw. Thank you Speakman for all the good you have done.
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Replacing Deco
 
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More upset about this than getting beat by Liverpool.

He got more things right than wrong and has been a significant part of us going from basket cases to the wonderful club we are now.

Well done Speakers and I wish you every success wherever you end up. You can be very proud of what you have achieved 👏
 
I think there’s more to this than meets the eye. I’ve been critical of Speakman in the past and although he appears to have done a good job overall he was responsible for bringing some flops to the club. He didn’t endear himself to me when interviewed with his buzz word parlance.
He will get employment if he wants it and I’m sure his reputation in the game is very good. I wish him well.
 
Just seen this.

My initial reaction was wtf.

Had a bit of a rant.

Few deep breaths.

Still thinking wtf.

Ganna take some time to settle.

I'm sure KLD knars, but it is just a shock.
 
Presumably he's not had a great deal to do the past 6 months, if as is suggested Flo has been running the show. Maybe helped with getting the FL loans/transfers out during January sorted. Gone now that's done.
 
Id heard it was about to be revealed he once dined with Starmer and his buddy Mandelson and jumped to save the club embarrassment
 
Ghisolfi has been in charge since the summer. The incredible recruitment doesn’t happen without him. We are moving forward as a premier league club now and Ghisolfi has the connections and expertise.

Speakman done an incredible job and I’ll always be thankful to him for getting us back where we belong. We are in safe hands
 
Really disappointed about this news, regardless of the reasons.

Thank you, Mr Speakman, for every single thing you’ve done that has helped to rescue this club from the shit.

Your contribution was worth more than its weight in gold, and will not be forgotten.
 
J Doughnut said:
Ha, you replied as I was editting a tag!

Have you still got Thelwell's brother?
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Yes. We appointed Stig Inge Bjornebye (former Liverpool defender) as a short term football advisor after Thelwell left and Stig and Robbie Thelwell done some good work in the January window.

I wouldn't be adverse to keeping Bjornebye long term but aye Robbie Thelwell remains head of recruitment.
 
viccarlton said:
He doesn’t hang around long though does he?

After he retired from playing football, Ghisolfi went into club management. He became the
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in 2019.

In October 2022, Ghisolfi joined fellow Ligue 1 club as sporting director.

On 22 May 2024, Ghisolfi signed with side as their new sporting director.
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Worries me that tbh. Does he jump before he’s pushed or does he just like packing stuff in boxes?
 
woodlebert said:
I think it's fair. We need to see how Angulo, Ta Bi and this summer goes first.

Obviously last summer was sensational, but if we have an poor summer this year - which we might not know until deep into the season - then that'll be one hit summer and one miss. There's no guarantee he'll pull out a summer every year like he did summer 2025

We'll have a better idea how consistent he is in about a year's time
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Ok I’ll set my calendar for then
Cheers Speakman and all the best
 
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