'A serious football club with massive ambitions': EFL pundits deliver verdict on Sunderland takeover

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ takeover at Sunderland should give Black Cats supporters fresh hope, according to EFL pundits Sam Parkin and Dean Ashton.
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Louis-Dreyfus became the club’s new chairman and controlling shareholder after the EFL sanctioned the move.

The deal was discussed on the EFL’s highlights show on Quest, after Sunderland won 3-0 at Burton Albion to bolster their play-off hopes.

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Goals from Grant Leadbitter, Lynden Gooch and Charlie Wyke secured all three points at the Pirelli Stadium, making it back-to-back league wins for Lee Johnson’s side.

New Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.New Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
New Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.

Speaking about the takeover, former Swindon midfielder Parkin said: “I say good luck to him, because if you get that place going in the right direction it could be really successful for him, and the fans will really get on board”

“I think what he’s done so far, with bringing in Lee Johnson and a Director of Football, they look to be really positive steps”

“They’re getting results and have had a great week. I think the fans will be finally excited about the club’s new era.”

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Ashton was slightly more cautious but hopes Sunderland can now challenge for a play-off place after climbing to sixth in the League One table.

“There won’t be another team at this level that has the global appeal that Sunderland will have because of the documentary,” said Ashton. “I think that will have drawn in a lot of people from around the world, I hope it’s not just because of that.

“This is a serious football club with massive ambitions, he’s come out and said he wants to modernise the structure of the football club and wants to get rid of the wasted money that has gone out of the club.

“That’s obviously fine but I hope it’s not more false hope for the supporters because as you saw from the documentary it weighs heavy on their fans and they just want to see success.

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“He’s coming in at a great time when the team is on the up and hopefully have a great chance of getting promoted.”

Sunderland will now prepare for a midweek meeting with Fleetwood at the Stadium of Light.

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