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Sunderland set to appoint Lee Johnson as manager within next 24 hours

Kristjaan Speakman has become Sunderland's new sporting director in a newly-created role as part of a restructuring at the Stadium of Light; Lee Johnson is expected to be named as the club's new manager after the sacking of Phil Parkinson

Lee Johnson
Image: Lee Johnson has been out of work since leaving Bristol City

Lee Johnson has agreed to become the next manager of Sunderland, with the club set to confirm the appointment over the weekend.

The Wearsiders have chosen the former Bristol City manager to replace Phil Parkinson, who left the club this week, and are finalising the paperwork.

Sky Sports News reported on Friday that Johnson had been in the north east for face-to-face talks and particularly impressed the Sunderland hierarchy.

The League One side also held talks with former Huddersfield boss Danny Cowley, but it is Johnson the Wearsiders preferred.

The club were impressed with Johnson's ability to work within a structure, his previous player development and his modern approach to the game.

A new sporting director was confirmed on Friday, with Kristjaan Speakman appointed into a newly-created role as part of a wider restructuring of the club.

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Highlights of the Sky Bet League One game between Sunderland and Burton.

The 41-year-old, who has spent the 14 years at Birmingham City including the last nine years as academy manager, will work alongside chief executive Jim Rodwell, but his brief will be to oversee the running of the football side of the club and to take a leading role in transfer policy.

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"I have been tasked with delivering a best-in-class player development model from the academy through to the senior squad and given a realistic timeframe and budget with which to do so," Speakman said. "It is an absolute honour to have been invited to do this at one of England's biggest clubs.

"The task of appointing a Head Coach who is both aligned to the overall plan and capable of impacting the team's performance and style in the immediate weeks and months is a priority above all else."

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