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.
13. Niall Huggins
Huggins really showed his quality before picking up another unfortunate long-term injury. He is still young enough to bounce back and his form before his latest injury was tremendous. 8/10 Photo: FRANK REID 2021
14. Danny Batth
A colossus in defence for Sunderland and a shrewd signing pushed for by Lee Johnson. Many fans were said to see the big defender leave for Norwich City during the last transfer window. 9/10 Photo: Clive Brunskill
15. Corry Evans
One of the first names on the teamsheet under Lee Johnson, Alex Neil and Tony Mowbray when fit and Sunderland's captain. Signed on a free as well. Hopefully, the midfielder can now bounce back from a serious injury last season. 9/10 Photo: Nigel Roddis
16. Jermain Defoe
A diaster, really, given the hype around the transfer. As soon as Jermain Defoe signed, he departed again. 1/10. Photo: FRANK REID 2022