In just over two years at the Academy of Light, the former Birmingham City man has overseen a radical overhaul of the club’s playing squad with the Wearsiders focusing on their academy, and buying young players to be nurtured and blooded in the first team.
It is a strategy that has produced results, with Speakman providing a squad that Alex Neil managed to brilliantly turn into promotion winners following Lee Johnson’s under-achievement.
However, with any recruitment strategy, there are pros and cons and Speakman has been criticised in some quarters for not providing Sunderland with enough depth, as evidenced by the injury to Ross Stewart and Corry Evans amongst others, which has caused head coach Tony Mowbray several headaches.
Here, though, we drill down into every signing sanctioned by Speakman since his arrival at the club and rate them from one to ten.
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Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman Photo: FRANK REID 2020
. Ross Stewart
The big striker was spotted by Lee Johnson and brought to Sunderland under Kristjaan Speakman as Charlie Wyke's replacement. Stewart has been a magnificent addition since his arrival and is one of the standard bearers for the current recruitment models. 10/10 Photo: Stu Forster
. Carl Winchester
Winchester proved to be a decent signing for Sunderland after being plucked from Forest Green Rovers. Another player Lee Johnson was familiar with. "Winniesta" helped Sunderland to promotion and turned in some battling performances in midfield, right back and right centre-back. Every team needs players like Carl Winchester. 7/10. Photo: Alex Burstow
. Jordan Jones
Produced some moments of real quality but lacked consistency and was part of a team that ultimately failed to get promoted during his six-month loan deal. It just didn't quite work out in the end. 5/10. Photo: Bryn Lennon
. Jake Vokins
Vokins was brought in as cover but largely struggled due to injury and covid issues. The logic behind signing a young, hungry and talented player to push the first team was there. However, it didn't happen for Vokins at Sunderland and he only made four league appearances. 2/10. Photo: Naomi Baker
. Callum Doyle
It is easy to forget just how good Callum Doyle was for Sunderland at such a young age during the early part of last season although his involvement did lessen as the campaign wore on. Part of the promotion-winning squad. 7.5/10. Photo: Alex Burstow
. Nathan Broadhead
When he was fit, Nathan Broadhead was electrifying and scored some crucial late goals for Sunderland to help Alex Neil cement the club's play-off position. Most Wearsiders would have been over the moon had he returned to the club last summer. 9/10. Photo: Stu Forster
. Thorben Hoffmann
The Hoff produced some moments of quality during the early part of Sunderland's promotion campaign (Gillingham away springs to mind) but was unseated by the emergence of Anthony Patterson. A signing that probably needed to be made at the time. 7/10. Photo: Stu Forster
. Frederik Alves
Another loan signing from a Premier League side where the logic was clear to see but it just never happened for Alves at the Stadium of Light. 4/10. Photo: COPYRIGHT (C) FRANK REID 20187
. Leon Dajaku
Dajaku is a strange case. He has shown some real quality during his time at Sunderland but has struggled for consistency due to various injuries and other factors. It will be interesting to see what happens to Dajaku this summer after he returns from loan. 5/10 Photo: Stu Forster
. Jack Clarke
Part of Sunderland's promotion squad last season whilst on loan, Clarke has now joined the club on a permanent basis. Whether at LWB or LW, the former Leeds man possesses sublime quality and has been a revelation so far this campaign. 9/10. Photo: Nigel Roddis
. Dennis Cirkin
A defender plucked from Tottenham's academy and thrust into Sunderland's first team. It is safe to say Cirkin has equipped himself brilliantly and is a player whose ceiling is extremely high. Another amazing transfer given his potential and resale value coupled with his in-game contributions. 9/10 Photo: FRANK REID
. Jay Matete
Matete has gradually improved since joining Sunderland and was part of the squad that gained promotion from League One and is now on loan at Plymouth with many excited to see how Matete does on his return. 7/10 Photo: Clive Brunskill
1. Ross Stewart
The big striker was spotted by Lee Johnson and brought to Sunderland under Kristjaan Speakman as Charlie Wyke's replacement. Stewart has been a magnificent addition since his arrival and is one of the standard bearers for the current recruitment models. 10/10 Photo: Stu Forster
2. Carl Winchester
Winchester proved to be a decent signing for Sunderland after being plucked from Forest Green Rovers. Another player Lee Johnson was familiar with. "Winniesta" helped Sunderland to promotion and turned in some battling performances in midfield, right back and right centre-back. Every team needs players like Carl Winchester. 7/10. Photo: Alex Burstow
3. Jordan Jones
Produced some moments of real quality but lacked consistency and was part of a team that ultimately failed to get promoted during his six-month loan deal. It just didn't quite work out in the end. 5/10. Photo: Bryn Lennon
4. Jake Vokins
Vokins was brought in as cover but largely struggled due to injury and covid issues. The logic behind signing a young, hungry and talented player to push the first team was there. However, it didn't happen for Vokins at Sunderland and he only made four league appearances. 2/10. Photo: Naomi Baker