Kristjaan Speakman has praised the job Tony Mowbray has done at Sunderland - while sidestepping the recent speculation over the head coach's future. Mowbray took over at the end of August and has been widely lauded for leading the newly-promoted Black Cats to a top six finish and a play-off spot in their first season back in the Championship, and for the brand of attacking football his young team has played, with his achievements reflected in the high regard in which he is held by fans.
Yet that has not prevented rumours emerging in recent weeks that the club is looking to replace the 59-year-old, despite the fact that he still has a year left on his contract, with a number of names linked with the role including Italian coach Francesco Farioli, Austrian Gerhard Struber, and Matthias Jaissle. Sporting director Speakman gave an end-of-season interview to the club's own media channel this week and reflected on the 2022-23 season, but he was not asked specifically about Mowbray's position.
"With Tony, head coach, coaching staff and support staff, they've gone about their business in a really professional manner," Speakman told the club's Youtube channel. "They've soaked up the adversity and issues that naturally crop up in a season.
