Sunderland Set to Hire Former Roma Sporting Director – Report | OneFootball

Sunderland Set for Major Backroom Boost with Ghisolfi Appointment

After their dramatic return to the Premier League, Sunderland AFC are not wasting any time solidifying the foundations for long-term success. According to a report by Sky Sports, the Black Cats are on the verge of appointing former Roma Sporting Director Florentino Ghisolfi to a senior role in their evolving hierarchy.

The 40-year-old Frenchman, who parted ways with Roma earlier this summer, is expected to play a significant role at the Stadium of Light. Crucially, he will work alongside current Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman, rather than replacing him. This two-pronged approach to football operations could be key to sustaining success in the top flight.

Photo: IMAGO

Track Record Built for Progress

Ghisolfi’s CV is one built on rapid progress and a sharp eye for talent. His prior tenures at Lens and Nice helped establish him as one of Europe’s most promising sporting directors, earning him the role at Roma in 2023. While his time in Italy was relatively short, the experience of working at one of Serie A’s biggest clubs should serve Sunderland well.

Having also been a professional footballer, Ghisolfi brings the benefit of a player’s perspective into the boardroom, something that often adds a layer of nuance to footballing decisions. His appointment is not just a nod to ambition, but a signal that Sunderland are ready to operate at Premier League level on and off the pitch.

Speakman and Ghisolfi: Dual Engines of Vision

One of the standout details from Sky Sports’ coverage is that “Kristjaan Speakman will continue at the club and he and Ghisolfi will work together.” This collaborative setup hints at a modern structure where responsibilities are shared but aligned, likely blending Speakman’s deep knowledge of the club’s DNA with Ghisolfi’s continental scouting network and strategic acumen.

It’s a rare move in English football, where changes at the executive level often mean one figure exits for another. Sunderland, however, are taking a different route. The structure suggests continuity with added expertise, not disruption.

Premier League Preparation Already Underway

Sunderland’s early moves in the transfer market further support the idea that they’re planning for stability and competitiveness. The permanent signing of French midfielder Enzo Le Fée for a club-record £18 million shows they’re willing to back their sporting structure with financial investment.

Meanwhile, the £25 million sale of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund is a testament to the club’s ability to nurture talent and profit wisely — another area where Ghisolfi is known to excel.

Quote Highlights from Sky Sports

“Ghisolfi, a former player, was also formerly Sporting Director at Nice and Lens in his homeland.”“Current Sporting Director, Kristjaan Speakman will continue at the club and he and Ghisolfi will work together.”

Sunderland are shaping a structure that blends Premier League ambition with European-style football governance. It’s an exciting prospect for the fans and a warning shot to rivals — Sunderland aren’t here to make up the numbers.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

If you’d told us a year ago we’d be talking about Florentino Ghisolfi joining our club, fresh from working at Roma, most of us wouldn’t have believed it. This isn’t just a backroom reshuffle, it’s a huge signal of intent. Ghisolfi is a big name in the sporting director world and someone who can genuinely elevate our recruitment and planning to a new level.

We’re buzzing up here. The fact that he’s coming in alongside Speakman means there’s no panic or chopping and changing — just good, strategic thinking. Keeping the continuity while bringing in European experience is exactly how top clubs operate.

With Enzo Le Fée already through the door for a record fee and Bellingham sold for a fortune, this summer feels like a reset button for Sunderland, but in the best possible way. These aren’t flukes — they’re calculated moves. If Ghisolfi can help us unearth another couple of gems, we might not just stay in the Premier League, we could thrive.

From Wembley to the Premier League and now with a top-class operator joining behind the scenes, there’s only one thing to say: things are happening on Wearside. And they’re happening fast.