Insight into Cats boardroom changes & vital January window
Sunderland are facing another enforced break from League One action as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect the League One fixture schedule.
But with a takeover nearing and the Black Cats making their first moves into the transfer market, there was plenty to discuss in our weekly Q&A with readers. You can read all the questions and answers from Phil Smith below.
What is the significance of Neil Fox’s resignation as a director?
I think it is a potentially fairly significant move, though one that does need to be put into context. Fox is a long-standing business associate of Stewart Donald, and was brought in by Donald to essentially oversee the business operation at Sunderland following Madrox’s takeover in the summer of 2018.
While a lack of day-to-day leadership has been a key factor in the failures of Madrox since their arrival, Fox was essentiallythefigurecarryingout Donald’s work on Wearside. As such, he was a prominent figure behind the scenes and influential particularly when it came to decisions on the business side of the operation.
His role very obviously became less significant with the arrival of CEO Jim Rodwell, and the subsequent influence he has had on the club’s operations.
Nevertheless, it does seem to be an indication of the shift in the power base at boardroom level that will accompany Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ takeover.
Until we know exactly what the respective shareholdings will be, and who will be in charge on a day-to-day basis, there of course remains an element of the unknown about the takeover.
It does seem though that change is on the horizon and we’ll all be keeping a close eye on any further developments in the days and weeks ahead.
Will the EFL ratify the takeover in time for Lee Johnson to get the players in he needs?
It’s a rea l l y i nte re s t i n g question and probably best summed up by Johnson himself, who told us that the takeover means he doesn’t yet have ‘absolute clarity’ on what he can and can’t do in the transfer market.
The first aspect of the question is when the takeover will be ratified. It’s obviously a busy time for the EFL for all sorts of reasons, and it was not for no reason that the club statement announcing the imminent arrival of Louis-Dreyfus stated that a decision from the EFL was not expected until midJanuary at the earliest.
However, there aren’t expected to be any issues with the ratification process and sources at the EFL have suggested that the current climate will not mean a delay. So it looks optimistic on that front.
Thesecond partofthequestion is what, if anything, Johnson can do in the meantime.
Sunderland’s business will be limited anyway by the salary cap rules, and in the interim periodJohnsonhasbeenworking with Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman to draw up a list of targets.
A number of potential options have been identified and some work on trying to do a deal is underway.
Johnson himself described the process as putting good options to the owners within all the parameters he is facing, both in terms of finances and the takeover.
There seemed to be a belief that he could do some business, even if it is fairly limited, regardless of the ratification.
Clearly, though, that would makeamajordifferencetohow the window looks for the head coach.
Will the manager be buying players in this transfer window, I know EFL have cu r ta i l e d s p e n d i n g va s t amounts of money, but will that affect spending in this window?
It is very difficult to see Sunderland spending significant fees under the current regime for the obvious reason that the takeover is expected to go through soon.
When ratified, that may well open things up for a little more investment and while the salary cap limits both
wage spending and the size of a squad, it does not prevent clubs spending fees.
Of course, we know that Louis-Dreyfus’ plans focus heavily on the academy and development, rather than lavish spending in the market, but equally he is ambitious and he will know the value of strengthening the squad.
Either way, major signings seem unlikely in this window (the wider financial climate in the game remains immensely challenging regardless of who owns a club).
To answer the question a little more specifically, Johnson was asked directly last week
whether he was entirely reliant on the loan market.
He said that was not the case, and that permanent additions were not being ruled out.
It’s understood some of the potential deals being explored would be permanent additions, though it’s worth stressing again that we aren’t talking about huge fees.
But the clear signal from behind the scenes is that if a player can add value to the squad and a deal can be done within the salary cap and at a very reasonable price, an attempt will be made to get it done.
IsAnthonyPattersonleaving on loan?
Sunderland are still weighing up which players they will loan out this month, and Patterson will clearly be one who comes into that category.
It strikes me as a bit of a nobrainer. Johnson rates him highly, noting how he commands his box a lot more naturally than most goalkeepers his age. But Lee Burge is performing steadily and deserves to keep his place in the side, so it makes sense to get Patterson some experience and look again at his development in the summer. I’d be looking to extend his current deal (which expires in the summer) and then look to sort a loan move.
Sunderland chairman Stewart Donald.
Sunderland Head Coach Lee Johnson.