Régis Le Bris thanks Kristjaan Speakman after Sunderland exit | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris has thanked Kristjaan Speakman for his role in Sunderland’s progress and in the head coach’s own adaptation. The club said in a statement that Speakman had left with immediate effect and that Florent Ghisolfi would lead the sporting programme after assuming control of all football operations in July 2025.

Le Bris described Speakman as crucial to his early integration into English football, helping with language, culture and links with the dressing room. He noted they worked together across two transfer windows, first in the summer then in the winter.

He aligned himself with the owner’s message, crediting Speakman with a major part in Sunderland’s rise from League One to the Premier League and calling his record worthy of huge respect.

Ghisolfi will continue to oversee recruitment, having worked closely with Le Bris in the summer as the squad was reshaped for the Premier League.

Appointed in December 2020, Speakman led a comprehensive rebuild of football operations, reshaping recruitment and performance structures and restoring competitive momentum. His time included three victories at Wembley, among them the club’s first win at the national stadium since 1973 and two Play-Off Final triumphs.

With Premier League status restored and a strengthened leadership structure in place, the board decided to move forward without him.

Source: Sunderland Echo