Sunderland fan meeting hears new head of grounds, Florent Ghisolfi’s message | OneFootball

Sunderland’s Supporters’ Collective met club leaders in mid-May, with news of a new head of grounds and Florent Ghisolfi’s address to the squad among the key takeaways.

According to Sunderland Echo, interim CEO Tom Burwell and director of football Ghisolfi attended, with finances and the potential Stadium of Light expansion on the agenda.

The club has recruited a head of grounds, and pitch surfaces will be upgraded to match players’ heightened expectations, targeting standards at the upper end of Premier League level.

Former sporting director Kristjaan Speakman was thanked by a supporter for his significant impact on the academy and player development, and ownership was praised for continued investment. Burwell said the academy now falls under Ghisolfi’s remit, that the transition had been anticipated and that the pair worked closely through it. He added academy players need to be ready to perform at top 10 Premier League level, the scouting team numbers 10, and a Head of the Academy is being recruited.

Burwell also set out a drive to compete across all club operations, saying Sunderland’s business competes weekly with 19 other Premier League clubs across security, events and engagement. He said on-pitch standards are shaping expectations off it.

Before the first game he urged players to embody Sunderland daily and prioritise performance and commitment, trusting results would follow. He believes the club can aim high again after learning more of its history, while Burwell spoke of building a high-performance culture with heart and humility.

Source: Sunderland Echo