In his exclusive discussion with our chief Sunderland AFC writer, Phil Smith, Methven offered a number of updates on the future of the club following their new investment from American consortium, FPP Sunderland. But what were the key points from his engaging interview? Scroll down and click through the pages to see what the club’s executive director had to say on a wide range of subjects – from January signings to Juan Sartori:
17. Methven reveals Sunderland's plans in terms of their management structure
“In terms of senior management, we’re assessing the structure. There’s Stewart and I who are heavily involved on a part-time basis, along with Neil Fox, and then Tony and Richard who are in full-time roles. We want to put in place the changes that we think are the right ones to make, and to start seeing how they play through and where the holes then are." Photo: FRANK REID 2019
18. Some of the criticism levied at Stewart Donald is 'unreasonable', says Methven
Discussing the criticism aimed the owner, Methven said: “Football clubs at any one time, some will be succeeding on the pitch, some will not and some will be somewhere in between. The debate as to why that is drives the industry and somebody might look at our scouting system, for example, and say, why are you doing it that way, that’s not how I’d do it, fair enough. But to then move from there into saying the owner is a charlatan is totally unreasonable." Photo: Frank Reid
19. A final word from Methven for a departed duo
The last 18 months were unbelievably hard work. You only see a very small part of that on a Saturday or a Tuesday night. For the people right in the middle of it, and I’m talking about Jack Ross and Tony Davison, it’s probably the most exhausting 18 months you could have." Photo: Frank Reid