Florent Ghisolfi and Tom Burwell set out Sunderland academy overhaul and pathway focus | OneFootball

Florent Ghisolfi and Tom Burwell have outlined Sunderland’s academy direction amid major changes at the Academy of Light, stressing it remains central while the gap to Premier League level must be closed.

According to Sunderland Echo, Robin Nicholls has left for the MLS and been replaced by John Hewitson, while under-21s lead coach Graeme Murty is expected to depart this summer.

Ghisolfi, the director of football, said academy development is core to the model and that the club must adapt now the first team has returned to the Premier League. He is aiming to bring through two players each season, with work to improve already under way.

He said people come first, highlighting energy, commitment and cohesion across the club and its environment. He wants ideas refreshed, promoting from within where possible and, at times, recruiting externally, while ambitious long-servers can still thrive.

Burwell underlined the academy’s role as a bridge to the community. He said it can be a first touchpoint for a nine-year-old, with values carried back to families regardless of early results.

On whether it could also drive revenue, he accepted it could, but only if culture comes first. He said energy, community and alignment must be in place, then revenue will follow once identity is clear.

Source: Sunderland Echo