Kristjaan Speakman answers ‘strange question’ about Sunderland transfer policy
Kristjaan Speakman has been a divisive figure among Sunderland fans in the past.
Right now though, Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is largely earning praise for the business he’s helped to oversee at the Stadium of Light this summer.
Sunderland signed nine new players during the summer transfer window, with four players arriving on deadline day.
Regis Le Bris’ first-team squad is looking well-stocked for the run-in to New Year.
And it’s been a very positive start to the 2024/25 season as well, with Sunderland in 1st place of the Championship table after four wins from four.
It comes after a testing summer for the club, with the Sunderland owners and Speakman facing heavy criticism at one point for the prolonged seas to find Michael Beale‘s permanent successor.
Speakman plays a key role in the decision-making at Sunderland. But it appears many have a false view of just how much of a say he has in the transfer process.
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Kristjaan Speakman discusses Sunderland transfer policy and decision-making
Many have the assumption that Speakman, being the sporting director, has the majority of power when it comes to deciding who the club signs in the transfer market.
And whilst it appears that Speakman does have a big say, he’s played down suggestions that he’s the main man behind the whole transfer process.
Speaking in an interview with BBC, Speakman was asked how much say Le Bris had in the club’s summer transfer business,
Speakman replied: “It’s a really strange question.”
He added: “It’s an absolute collaboration between myself, himself, ownership, recruitment team, to make sure we’ve got the right players in the building.”
Speakman also went on to say: “As a sporting director, you’re accountable for all those things.
“But we’ve never wanted to signed players that coaches don’t feel can add value to the team.”
Time to give Kristjaan Speakman the praise he deserves at Sunderland
Speakman has certainly had his critics in the past. And at times, criticism has been justified, with Sunderland having made their share of poor signings under his watch.
But on the whole, fans are really starting to appreciate and acknowledge the good work he’s done.
He’s given Sunderland a really valuable team, with some players looking like they could fetch the club some huge profits in the future, as has been achieved with the sale of Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town.
Speakman plays a key role in the whole transfer process, though like he says, it’s a team effort, with Le Bris well involved.
