Ex-Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham posts tribute after Kristjaan Speakman’s exit | OneFootball

Ex-Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham has paid tribute to Kristjaan Speakman after confirmation of the sporting director’s exit.

The club said in a statement that Speakman had left with immediate effect after a board decision, with Director of Football Florent Ghisolfi now leading the sporting project, having assumed full control of football operations in July 2025.

Speakman arrived in December 2020, shortly before Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’s takeover was announced. Tasked with lifting the club from League One, he restructured the football department and installed a youth-led recruitment model with clear academy pathways.

That approach helped bring steady progress, including three Wembley victories, two play-off final wins and the club’s first national stadium success since the 1973 FA Cup, culminating in promotion back to the Premier League.

Bellingham, who developed under Speakman’s leadership, posted on Instagram soon after the announcement, sharing a photograph of the pair at the EFL Awards and writing: “Legend, all the best.”

In his farewell message, Speakman thanked his family, colleagues and supporters, describing the role as the honour of a lifetime. He praised the region’s identity and the players and staff, and said the fans are the club’s greatest asset.

Sunderland described him as central to a major transition, and chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus said strong foundations are in place across football operations and the redevelopment phase is complete.

Source: Sunderland Echo