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Speakman gone


I personally think that if you wanted him out so much in the summer of 2024 you weren't necessarily wrong and that last season and what has happened so far this season is much more down to KLD and RLB than Speakman.

It seems to me like KLD changed the approach after the shambolic 23/24 season and took more control himself and gave more control to the Head Coach.

And he impact of RLB can not be underestimated. He took the same squad plus Browne, Poveda and Isidor that Mike Dodds had stunk the place out with and turned them round to be top of the league.

Speakman did well initially but I think his contribution to the last 18 months success is wildly overestimated on here.

I think if you decide in your head that everything good that we did was down to KLD/RLB, and everything bad was down to Speakman, then aye.

In reality, it would have been obviously wrong to get rid in Summer 2024 and make sweeping changes. The squad was good enough, the approach was correct and KLD/Speakman were vindicated.
 
Kristjaan Speakman has done so much behind the scenes. At the helm for 6 years, identifying and bringing in the players who helped lift us back into the Premier League after years in the dark. Taking us away from the dark period into the glory days!

In the sixth minute of the next home game, we should show our appreciation with a round of applause, and his picture should appear on the screen with the caption:

“With thanks from all at Sunderland AFC fans.”

Thoughts ?
This is absolutely f***ing mental
 
if he reads this board then, from me, ‘thanks for your efforts mate’ but I’m not sure Directors of Football should be getting a minutes tribute. He made some good buys and some stinkers and was a medium sized cog in a big machine that dragged us from League One to Premier League through two play-off campaigns where Lady Luck shined on us. Thanks and all but not sure he’s earned a standing ovation. I do appreciate the guy though.
 
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I think people are being a bit unfair when they single out particular signings on being duffers and mistakes made on the way. At Speakmans position he should be judged on whether he achieved targets on budget. The target was premier league,achieved, and was clearly on budget hence high psr ceiling this season. Definitely a success. Is it the right time to stop his tenure? Time will tell i guess but I think people's problems with his perceived character etc should be put to one side when assessing his effectiveness during his employment with SAFC.
 
Kristjaan Speakman has done so much behind the scenes. At the helm for 6 years, identifying and bringing in the players who helped lift us back into the Premier League after years in the dark. Taking us away from the dark period into the glory days!

In the sixth minute of the next home game, we should show our appreciation with a round of applause, and his picture should appear on the screen with the caption:

“With thanks from all at Sunderland AFC fans.”

Thoughts ?
Easily the most embarrassing thing I've ever read on here.
 
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