In his time 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. Speakman has been criticised in some quarters for not providing Sunderland with enough depth, as evidenced by the injuries to Ross Stewart and the recall of Ellis Simms which left Tony Mowbray without any senior strikers for large parts of last season. Sunderland then failed to sign an experienced striker during the last January window.
Here, though, we drill down into every signing sanctioned by Speakman since his arrival at the club and rate them from one to ten.
37. Nazariy Rusyn
The Ukrainian seems to be finding his feet on Wearside but needs a run of games in Michael Beale's side. Has netted two goals for Sunderland so far this season. 7/10 Photo: George Wood
38. Jenson Seelt
The Dutch defender has looked decent when played at right-back and certainly looks like he could do a job at right-back too. A solid signing during the summer window. 7/10 Photo: Nigel Roddis
39. Mason Burstow
The Chelsea loanee has only netted once during his Sunderland career so far and has struggled to impact games. 5/10 Photo: Ed Sykes
40. Timothee Pembele
There was clear logic behind the signing of Timothee Pembele but his appearances have been limited by injury meaning we have to mark the signing down but with the caveat that there's still plenty of time for this one to come good. 5/10 Photo: Ed Sykes