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.
33. Jobe Bellingham
At just 18-years-old, Jobe Bellingham has had a noticeable impact on the first half of Sunderland's season and has played in multiple positions during his first six months as a Sunderland player. 9/10 Photo: Frank Reid
34. Bradley Dack
The attacking midfielder has struggled to make an impact on Sunderland's squad beyond a goal against Southampton earlier this season and is currently injured. Was a low risk signing on a free transfer but hasn't done too much. 3/10 Photo: FRANK REID
35. Nathan Bishop
Like Alex Bass before him, Sunderland needed a second-choice goalkeeper and Nathan Bishop fits the bill perfectly. 5/10 Photo: Sean M. Haffey
36. Nectar Triantis
Has played a few times for Sunderland this season but has since been loaned to Hibernian to gain first team minutes. Hopefully, the centre-back will be one for the future. 6/10 Photo: FRANK REID