Cats transfer targets identified
Christmas Eve brought hope for Sunderland fans that the year-long ownership saga that has defined their club could finally be coming to a conclusion.
The club announced that a deal had been agreed for Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to assume the controlling stake in the club from Stewart Donald had been agreed, pending EFL approval.
With the January window nearing and the club still dealing with the impact of a Covid-19 outbreak, there was plenty to discuss with readers in our weekly Q&A.
What changes do you expect we’ll see once the takeover is done?
Some of the critical changes have already happened.
Kristjaan Speakman was appointed by the current board, but his vision and brief fits firmly with that of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, who we understand had a role in the process.
This extends to the appointment of Lee Johnson. Those two key decisions in terms of the footballing operation can in some ways be seen as the first steps of the process.
Louis-Dreyfus has outlined in his first statement that he wants the club to be ‘at the frontier of innovation and research’, and has promised a modern approach.
So the key changes I would expect to happen would be surrounding investment in areas of the club that are currently hugely underpowered after Madrox’s two-and-a-half year tenure.
Recruitment and the academy are the two most obvious departments. There are currently vacancies for head of player recruitment and academy manager, which are vital positions where the right appointment must be made.
Then there is a need for significant investment into the club’s data analysis operations.
It’s these long-term, structural decisions that are in need of the most attention.
Yes, there is likely to be investment in the playing squad but the salary cap limits that and there is a huge emphasis on player development for the new regime.
Is Louis-Dreyfus bringing anybody with him( not financially) to advise maybe add to the boardroom?
It’s a fair question and supporters will still be keen to ascertain exactly how the shareholding breaks down as a result of the deal, and where the power lies as a result.
There are a few things we can say with a degree of certainty. The deal will see Louis-Dreyfus assume a controlling stake, which will ultimately give him the capacity and scope to make key decisions.
He is also set to assume the role of chairman, which indicates he is intending to have a significant input on the direction of the club and will be the key voice moving forward.
The day-to-day operations will be led by Kristjaan Speakman on the footballing side, and the CEO on administrative/ business side. Jim Rod well said he was unsure what the future held for him when he discussed the potential deal a few weeks ago, but the statement announcing Speakman’s arrival said they would work closely together. Either way, the CEO and the Sporting Director will report into Louis-Dreyfus as chairman.
Donald has made it a matter of record that he will follow from ‘afar’, and that is consistent with our understanding through the process that he is planning to step away entirely for decision making at the club.
The roles, if there are any, for Sartori and Methven remain unclear.
Sartori was initially touted as being a key part of the deal, but was not mentioned in the club statement and has seemed clear for a prolonged period that his ultimate priority is the progression of his political career in Uruguay.
So there are still absolutely some unknowns about Sunderland’s new direction, but it is clear that the strongest and most important voice is going to be that of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
He will undoubtedly look to have a trusted team around him, and it would not be a surprise to see one or two additional changes to the current structure.
Have our transfer targets been identified for January window if indeed we are buying any players?
January looks a tricky transfer window with the salary cap and the takeover not quite through yet. How do you see the strategy for the window developing? Will we see players let go mid season to make room for new?
It is a tricky window, without a doubt.
As it stands, Sunderland have only one space available in the squad for a player over the age of 21, and it’s no secret that they are running close to the cap in terms of their salary.
It’s a difficult balance, when promotion is anything but certain and the challenge of the cap next season would be even more difficult (particularly with so many players entering the last six months of their deal).
Johnson has already hinted that the loan market could be key, mentioning his strong connections with top Premier League clubs as a result of his time at Bristol City.
Broadly speaking, he feels he has a strong squad on the whole, just one that lacks a couple of key ‘attributes’.
Pace is top of that list, so it follows that the forward areas are a priority and he has said he doesn’t mind an addition being ‘raw’, if they bring other skills to the party.
He has outlined three ways he can improve the squad. Make additions, bring players up from the academy, and offload current players to create room. The one positive of this has allowed some time and space for Johnson and Speakman to assess exactly where things stand and what needs to be done in the window.
They have been speaking daily about targets and in that regard, the takeover is unlikely to add much in the way of complication.