Exclusive: Speakman role in Sunderland manager hunt revealed
Soon-to-be-appointed Kristjaan Speakman is already involved in the Sunderland manager hunt, Football Insider has learned.
This site broke the news earlier today that Speakman, 41, is in advanced talks to become the League One club's new technical director.
A Sunderland source has told Football Insider that the incoming executive is already getting his feet under the table through his involvement in the search for a successor to Phil Parkinson.
Speakman is technically still at Birmingham but he is bidding farewell to the club after 14 years.
The last nine of these have been as the Championship outfit's academy manager.
At Sunderland, Speakman will have a more senior role, and one of his first tasks will be to identify the right man to replace Parkinson.
The Black Cats are currently sifting through applicants for one of the most prestigious posts outside of the Premier League.
Ex-Huddersfield Town boss Danny Cowley is the bookmakers' favourite, while Football Insider revealed yesterday that former Bristol City boss Lee Johnson is a leading contender for the vacant post.
The Black Cats decided to part ways with Phil Parkinson last Sunday following a run of five games without a win.
There are major changes at all levels at Sunderland.
Takeover talks are advancing, with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and current director Juan Sartori having entered a period of exclusivity with current owner Steward Donald.
The swoop for Speakman comes a year after he came close to landing the recruitment chief role at Birmingham before a late U-turn from the club.
Birmingham claim Speakman has a "unique" skill-set as he has a Uefa pro licence as well as a business management degree and certificate in education.