Ex-Rangers and Reading man Graeme Murty set to leave Sunderland as Florent Ghisolfi academy changes continue

Former Rangers and Reading man Graeme Murty is expected to leave his role as Sunderland under-21s lead coach this summer, The Echo understands.

The 51-year-old has not formally left his post at this stage, with the details of his departure still being finalised, but he is now expected to move on following the conclusion of the academy season.

Murty’s anticipated exit was first reported by journalist Alan Nixon and would mark another significant change within Sunderland’s football operation at academy level. The former Rangers boss joined Sunderland in 2022 and has been widely credited with helping raise standards at the Academy of Light during his time on Wearside.

Murty has overseen a notable improvement in Sunderland’s under-21s set-up, with the Black Cats reaching the Premier League 2 final and Premier League Cup final in recent seasons. His work has also come during a period in which Sunderland have placed major emphasis on youth development and the pathway between the academy and first team.

Several young players have trained with the senior squad or been exposed to higher-level football during that time, with Murty playing an important role in their development. The expected departure comes during a wider period of change at Sunderland following the club’s return to the Premier League and qualification for Europe.

Since his appointment as director of football, Florent Ghisolfi has overseen a review of all aspects of the club as Sunderland look to push standards across the football department. The Black Cats are now operating at Premier League and European level, and that has naturally brought scrutiny of structures, staffing and processes.

Murty will become the latest important academy figure to leave the club. Former academy manager Robin Nicholls recently departed to join New York City FC, while former head of recruitment Stuart Harvey and ex-sporting director Kristjaan Speakman both left Sunderland earlier in the 2025-26 campaign.

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Those changes have left Sunderland reshaping key parts of their football operation at a time when the academy remains an important part of the club’s long-term strategy. Murty’s impending exit will therefore be viewed as a significant development, given the progress made by Sunderland’s under-21s during his time in charge and the role he has played in improving standards at the Academy of Light, with a replacement now needed.

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