Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has been praised for his job by a former Championship coach.
Sunderland managed to quietly potter around in the summer transfer window as they shrewdly went about their business adding Championship experience to their side, including the likes of Alan Browne and Ian Poveda.
Deadline Day moves were also made by Sunderland and Kristjaan Speakman, who sought to replace the departed Jack Clarke, who left for Premier League side Ipswich Town.
Wilson Isidor was brought in, and he has performed well for the U21’s as he gears up for first-team action.
However the biggest move of the summer was undoubtedly getting Regis Le Bris in as head coach, who has so far led Sunderland to four wins in a row, something that Speakman as a result should be given credit for.
Whilst mistakes have been made in recent years, the recruitment has been spot on so far this campaign and that has earned him praise from a former Championship manager.
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman praised by Gary Rowett
Former Derby County, Birmingham City and Stoke City boss Gary Rowett has highlighted the brilliant start made by Le Bris’ side, with him putting emphasis on the transfer activity from the Black Cats over recent years.
In a column for Derbyshire Live, Gary Rowett wrote: “You have the likes of Sunderland who’ve started fantastically well.
“An old friend of mine, Kristjaan Speakman, who I worked with in Derby’s academy coaching quite a few years ago, is the Sporting Director there.
“They made some very astute signings over the years in a squad full of value.”
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Has Kristjaan Speakman’s transfer activity at Sunderland been a success
Speakman joined the club in December 2020 whilst Sunderland were still in League One.
They waited until the following season to achieve promotion back to the Championship, and ever since there has been a clear emphasis on recruiting young players and looking to sell them on.
On paper this is a beneficial strategy for the club, particularly in a long-term financial aspect, but there have been many players that just haven’t lived up to expectations.
Adil Aouchiche, Luis Hemir and Timothee Pembele to name a few fall under the umbrella of players that simply were unable to cut it at this level and didn’t work out as transfers.
The slightly altered approach of looking towards more experienced players this summer appears to have worked brilliantly for Sunderland, and Speakman certainly deserves the credit for highlighting the necessity of bringing in older players, however it can’t be said that previous signings have been ‘astute’.