Sunderland outline academy plans and begin search for new manager | OneFootball

Sunderland have advertised for a new Academy Manager and set out plans to lift standards at the Academy of Light.

Robin Nicholls will leave this summer after four years to join New York City FC, and the brief for his successor focuses on building on strong foundations rather than firefighting or rebuilding systems.

The plan centres on elite player recruitment, accelerated development and consistent progression into first-team football or high-value professional outcomes. The successful candidate will report to director of football Florent Ghisolfi.

The process is being run with Executives in Sport Group, who previously assisted in the appointment of Krisjtaan Speakman as sporting director in 2020. Applications close on the first of May, with an appointment planned before the summer.

Robin Nicholls said: "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. We do want to nurture that North East talent so we can give them a pathway."

He told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"Our selling point is our pathway to the first team. We might not be able to compete on finances and some of the glossy bits you get in your academy journey, but if you want a place to have the opportunity to play in a first team, we feel we're the best place."

Source: Sunderland Echo