New head of grounds and Florent Ghisolfi’s message set out at fans’ meeting | OneFootball

Sunderland’s fan groups met club leaders in mid-May, with finances, Stadium of Light expansion, a new head of grounds and Florent Ghisolfi’s pre-season message on the agenda. According to Sunderland Echo, the Supporters’ Collective discussed club operations with senior staff.

Interim chief executive Tom Burwell and director of football Ghisolfi attended alongside Paul Kingsmore, Georgi Rusev, Steve Wood, Emily Jewitt and Chris Waters. The Branch Liaison Council, Red and White Army, the Senior Supporters Association and individual fans were represented.

The club has appointed a head of grounds, and pitches will be improved to meet higher player expectations, aligned with the highest end of Premier League standards.

Kristjaan Speakman’s contribution to the academy and player development was acknowledged by supporters, who also sought reassurance over continued attention to detail. Academy oversight now sits with Ghisolfi after an anticipated transition and close handover with Speakman. The scouting team numbers 10 and recruitment is under way for a Head of the Academy.

Away from the pitch, Sunderland’s business competes weekly with 19 other Premier League clubs on security, events and engagement, with ambitions to compete on every front. Football standards are intended to set the tone for the wider business.

Before the season began, Ghisolfi urged players to embody Sunderland and give their best every day, prioritising commitment and performance so results would follow. Inspired by the club’s past status as the country’s best, he believes aiming high again is realistic. Burwell is shaping a high-performance culture on and off the pitch with heart and humility.

Source: Sunderland Echo