This new year could finally see the new Sunderland emerge which fans have been dreaming about for some time. A new owner with the resources to see the Black Cats join England’s rich list is incoming. He brings with him their best opportunity to get back amongst the countries elite for many years.
Sunderland fans know not to dream big with regards to their club. However, with the correct recruitment on and off the field and the new recourses spent wisely (something that has failed to happen in the past), they have a chance of a long road ahead of them.
A New Sunderland Could Emerge in the New Year
Out With the Old, in With the New Sunderland
The last few years on Wearside have been frustrating for fans, to say the least. A fall from the Premier League to League One in successive seasons saw the club bought by current majority shareholder Stewart Donald. His focus was to get the club back into the Championship as soon as possible.
Failure to do so saw Donald put the Wearside club up for sale one year ago with little to suggest that the Black Cats were ready to be promoted. Donald is finally set to sell, a new head coach in Lee Johnson has recently been appointed and with restructuring work going on behind the scenes to recruit the right people in the right roles, it definitely appears that Sunderland are bringing in a new way of doing things.
New Owner
Current owner Donald is set to sell his majority shareholding in the club to 23-year-old Kyril Louis-Dreyfus. Kyril is part of the Louis-Dreyfus family who had a majority share in French giants Marseille. Along with his brother, Louis-Dreyfus is one of three heirs to his late father’s fortune. A trust fund currently held by his mother stands at around £2 billion.
Following the sale of Marseille in 2016, Louis-Dreyfus turned his back on football. However, it appears that Sunderland has reignited his love of the game. Speaking to L’Equipe, he said: “Following the sale of OM, I stuck to one idea: we don’t do anything in football anymore, it’s a rotten business. But Sunderland, this is a special project, really. The potential is in England.
“At OM, we didn’t have the Vélodrome, which was causing us a lot of problems; Sunderland owns its stadium, with the country’s seventh capacity. The fervor of the people is reminiscent of that of Marseille. In D3, before the health crisis, there were more spectators on average than in half of the Premier League clubs. You can’t buy this! In cities like Zurich, Monaco, nobody is interested in football, it limits the possibilities of expansion.”
New Off-Field Personnel
New head coach Lee Johnson was brought in to replace Phil Parkinson at the beginning of December. Already, fans are seeing Sunderland change for the better on the field. Gone are the defensive displays under Parkinson and in has come a more attacking style of play designed to create more chances for the forwards. It is early days in Johnson’s reign but the signs are positive.
Prior to Johnson’s appointment, Kristjaan Speakman was appointed the new Sporting Director. Speakman will lead SAFC’s overall football programme, player identification, development and acquisitions across the first team and academy. Speaking to SAFC.com, Speakman said: “I have been tasked with delivering a best-in-class player development model from the academy through to the senior squad and given a realistic timeframe and budget with which to do so.
“It is an absolute honour to have been invited to do this at one of England’s biggest clubs. The blueprint for the future and the ambition to create a sustainable structure with a clear identity is one I will work diligently and passionately to bring to fruition for Sunderland fans.”
Speakman is set to have a busy time. He is also tasked with bringing in new staff throughout the club. A new head of recruitment is a priority. Speakman then needs to look into a new academy manager following the departure of their previous manager. New staff for the struggling U18 squad is also important for the future of the club.
On-Field Recruitment
Johnson will undoubtedly want to strengthen his squad during January. However, the League One salary cap rules make recruitment more difficult. At present, Sunderland also have just one more space in their squad for a player over the age of 21. Johnson is believed to have identified areas where he would like to strengthen. Notably going forward where he believes extra pace is needed. The loan market could be Johnson’s best option in January.
Beyond this, and if Sunderland do gain promotion and if all goes well with the proposed takeover, Lee Johnson could have a lot more freedom to improve the squad.
The Journey to Get Back Amongst England’s Elite Begins, Again
Sunderland were once one of England’s top clubs. In years gone by, the Black Cats were challenging for titles in England’s top division, winning the title six times and finishing runners-up on five occasions. They were also once known as the ‘Bank of England’ club. However, this was a long time ago.
Fans in recent decades have thought their club were on course to get back amongst England’s elite. Two seventh-place finishes in the Premier League under Peter Reid is the closest they have come. Others have also tried but ultimately failed.
Should Kyril Louis-Dreyfus be approved by the EFL to become the majority shareholder and new chairman and should the right personnel be brought in, Sunderland have a chance, and fans once again could have pleasant dreams about their club once more.
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