Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray is relieved to be at a club with a clear plan for growth rather than one where transfer policy is made up on the hoof. Kyril Louis-Dreyfus' arrival on Wearside as chairman almost two years ago marked the beginning of a major shift in terms of both structure, with the club appointing a sporting director in Kristjaan Speakman and a head coach to work under him, and philosophy as he outlined his belief that the club must be run in a sustainable way after years of heavy losses.
Alongside that came a transfer strategy which has seen the Black Cats bring in a slew of talented youngsters - both from outside and promoted from the academy - to work alongside a core of senior players. That vision helped Sunderland win promotion from League One last season and has underpinned a positive first half of the campaign on their return to the Championship.
Head coach Mowbray is on board with the plan, and says it gives the club a defined direction of travel. "I am on board with the ownership," said Mowbray.
