Kristjaan Speakman in talks over FC Copenhagen role after Sunderland exit | OneFootball

Kristjaan Speakman could be set for a return to football with FC Copenhagen after leaving Sunderland in February.

According to Sunderland Echo, the former sporting director has been a contender for the vacancy and talks are now advanced.

FC Copenhagen finished seventh in the 12-team Superliga last season, yet remain one of the biggest clubs in the country. They have regularly featured in the Champions League in recent years and won the league the previous campaign.

Speakman looks set to oversee a rebuild after a season spent in the relegation phase for the first time. The club parted company with sporting director Sune Smith-Nielsen in February and Speakman now appears in pole position to replace him.

Copenhagen will play in the Conference League next season after beating rivals Brondby on the final day.

Speakman was a key figure in Sunderland’s rise from League One to the Premier League across six years as sporting director. He stepped aside when Florent Ghisolfi assumed ultimate responsibility for the football operation and has since been weighing up his options during a break from the game.

In his parting message, he called the role the honour of a lifetime, thanked his family and praised players and staff. He highlighted reconnecting the team with the region’s identity, said the fans are the club’s greatest asset and wished everyone well for the rest of the season.

Source: Sunderland Echo