The Black Cats boss will always be grateful for Speakman's help when he arrived at the Stadium of Light
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris (R) and Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris (R) and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman celebeate promotion at Wembley
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Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris says he will never forget the role Kristjaan Speakman played in helping him settle into life on Wearside.
The Black Cats sporting director left the club with immediate effect today following five years at the Stadium of Life.
Florent Ghisolfi will lead the club’s sporting programme after he arrived at the club last summer, with Speakman having helped guide the club from League One back to the Premier League.
Le Bris worked with Speakman for just under two seasons, with the Frenchman leading last year's promotion back to the top flight.
And he revealed he will always remember the role the former Birmingham City chief played in his move to the North East.
‘I share the words of the owner,” Le Bris said ahead of Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Oxford United.
“Kristjaan was a huge contributor to the club development from League One to Premier League. That deserves huge respect.
“He was really important for me, especially at the beginning for my integration . . . a new language, new league, new players, new club. He helped me a lot.
"That's part of professional life. We had two windows working together, the first in the summer and the second in the winter.
“But on a daily basis, when you start in a new country, language is really key.
"It's not a direct translation. You have culture and nuances and he helped me a lot for that part, as a coach and with the connection with the players.”
Sunderland released a statement on Friday morning which read: "Sunderland AFC today confirms that Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has left the Club with immediate effect.
"Kristjaan was a key figure during one of the most significant periods in the Club’s recent history, playing an important role in bringing Sunderland back to the Premier League.
"Appointed in December 2020, he led a comprehensive rebuild of the Club’s football operations, reshaping its recruitment and performance infrastructure and restoring competitive momentum.
"His time on Wearside included three victories at Wembley Stadium, including Sunderland’s first win at the national stadium since 1973 and two Play-Off Final wins.
"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."
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