Sunderland set out academy ambition as search begins for new manager | OneFootball

Sunderland have launched the search for a new Academy Manager to replace Robin Nicholls, who will join New York City FC this summer after four years in the post. According to Sunderland Echo, the club want to raise the ceiling at the Academy of Light.

Sunderland are again working with the Executives in Sport Group, who were involved in appointing Krisjtaan Speakman as sporting director in 2020. The role is billed as building on strong foundations rather than firefighting or rebuilding systems.

The club say the next phase should be defined by elite player recruitment, accelerated development and regular progression into first-team football or high-value professional outcomes. Priorities include attracting better players, strengthening recruitment and development along the pathway and consistently producing talent for the first team or the wider game.

The successful candidate will report to director of football Florent Ghisolfi. Applications close on May first, with an appointment expected to be finalised before the summer.

"From 16 we can recruit nationally. When they turn 18 we can look further afield and at the moment we have a player on trial from Asia. Our selling point is our pathway to the first team." He told BBC Radio Newcastle.

Source: Sunderland Echo