The former Black Cats midfielder shared a brief but pointed message following confirmation that the sporting director has left the club
Former Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham has publicly paid tribute to Kristjaan Speakman following confirmation that the sporting director has left the club with immediate effect.
The decision to part ways with Speakman was taken by Sunderland’s board of directors, with Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi now leading the sporting project after assuming full control of football operations in July 2025.
Speakman arrived at Sunderland in December 2020, shortly before Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’s takeover of the club was announced. Tasked with rebuilding from League One, he oversaw a significant restructuring of the football department. A new recruitment model focused heavily on youth, resale value and long-term sustainability was introduced, alongside a renewed emphasis on pathways from the academy into the first team.
That strategy helped deliver a period of steady progression. Sunderland secured three victories at Wembley during his tenure, including two play-iff final wins and the club’s first triumph at the national stadium since the 1973 FA Cup success. The culmination of that work was promotion back to the Premier League.
Bellingham, who developed under Speakman’s leadership during Sunderland’s modern rebuild, posted a message on Instagram shortly after the news broke. Alongside a photograph of the pair together at the EFL Awards, the midfielder wrote: “Legend, all the best.”
In a statement released following his departure, Speakman thanked his family, colleagues and supporters. “The opportunity to be sporting director and lead this historic club over the last five plus years has been the honour of a lifetime,” he said. “I owe a debt of gratitude to my wife and children for allowing me to live this experience and on so many occasions place the club before home.
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“I was once told to 'work where it matters' and I've learned over these six seasons how much this club matters to the people of Sunderland. Re-establishing a team built on the region's identity, creating a deep connection with its people is an aspect I'll be most proud of. The same community welcomed our family and for that we'll be forever grateful to the many friends, neighbours, coaches and staff that made Sunderland our home - it's been a truly humbling experience to work alongside so many talented people.
“To all the players and staff past and present, thank you for believing in our shared vision. Ultimately all our success over these six seasons has been down to your unwavering commitment, technical excellence and attitude to deliver your best every day. For this you should all be immensely proud of where the club sits today. The greatest asset this club has are its fans and it's been a pleasure sharing some incredible memories with you all. Good luck for the remaining games this season.”
Sunderland’s official statement described Speakman as a key figure during one of the most significant transitional periods in the club’s recent history. Chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus said strong foundations had now been established across football operations and that the redevelopment phase was complete.
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