Kristjaan Speakman explains his next priorities at Sunderland after January transfer window

Kristjaan Speakman is focusing on bolstering Sunderland's recruitment operation as Lee Johnson's side head into the second half of the League One season.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Speakman was appointed as Sporting Director in December, and made the recruitment of Johnson one of his first moves.

The pair had to quickly make plans for the January transfer window, having inherited a club with a threadbare operation in key departments.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Addressing that will be Speakman's key priority now that he and Johnson have concluded the first stage of their squad overhaul.

Sporting Director Kristjaan SpeakmanSporting Director Kristjaan Speakman
Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman

"Moving forward, a lot of my work now is around some of the more medium term, strategic things," Speakman told the #SAFCUnfiltered podcast.

"Around organisational structure, who is doing what and where.

"I'll be looking at the data analytics and recruitment as probably the number one thing, and then the academy programme. "There's a few departments to focus in on and a few processes to focus in on in the short term.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We're in the process at the moment of identifying a head of player recruitment, trying to build out our performance analysis and data analytics team, which will obviously underpin and support some of our decision making processes for the summer and the next window."

Speakman has been tasked with implementing a long-term vision for the club believed to be closely associated with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, who is waiting for EFL approval to assume a majority shareholding in the club.

Nevertheless, Speakman believes the Black Cats remain in contention for promotion this season and says that very much remains the goal.

"Sunderland can't ever have any other ambition than getting into the top two," he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"So I'm never going to sit in any meeting and suggesting we lower our any standards any less than that.

"I see the team getting better from week to week, we need to see some greater consistency in results, that's fairly obvious and I think everyone would say that.

"But we've just managed to make some adjustments to our squad and I think we're better for it.

"From here on in, it's just over to the guys to try and do it. I don't see why we should ever drop our ambitions."

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor