A journalist has explained one key reason why Sunderland’s manager hunt is ‘dragging’ so much.
Sunderland have now gone 112 days since Michael Beale was sacked, while it has been 37 days since Mike Dodds‘ interim spell came to an end.
The Black Cats have been linked with a long list of names and were fully expected to appoint Will Still before the move broke down last week, with the 31-year-old confirmed as the new Lens manager today.
It then looked like the club had moved onto Pascal Jansen, who was one name that particularly excited fans.
However, they were left frustrated again after reports yesterday stated that the former AZ Alkmaar coach was no longer in the running.
Despite Kyril Louis-Dreyfus claiming an appointment was now ‘imminent’, Sunderland don’t seem to be much closer to finding a new manager.
While it is clear that they missed out on their main target in Will Still, fans are baffled at how it has taken so long to even reach the final stages of their search – nevermind actually appointing anyone.
Kristjaan Speakman is causing chaos at Sunderland
Journalist Michael Graham has now explained one key reason as to why an appointment is taking so long.
He wrote on X: “A little extra snippet on the #SAFC manager hunt. I’m told that reservations about working with Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman has definitely played a part in it dragging for this long.”
It is time to say goodbye to Speakman
Kristjaan Speakman undeniably worked miracles in the transfer market in the early days of KLD’s rein, snapping up the likes of Jack Clarke, Dan Ballard and Trai Hume.
However, things have crumbled very quickly since last season and he has now made a number of disastrous transfers, failed to bring in a proven striker, appointed Michael Beale and has taken over 100 days to appoint his replacement.
It becomes harder and harder to defend Speakman every day, and if it is true that many managers simply don’t want to work with him, then it surely means his exit has to be on its way.
At this point, it feels like he is only hindering the club rather than helping it. KLD seems to rely on him heavily for advice and the 27-year-old needs to realise he is dragging the club backwards at this point.
Many fans would be eager to see him leave Wearside before the season begins, but it seems likely that he will be given another summer transfer window to impress.