GHISOLFI JOINS

Florent Ghisolfi has officially been appointed as Sunderland’s new Director of Football.

Born in Aubagne, France, in 1985, he began his footballing career with French club Bastia in 2003 as a midfielder. The Frenchman spent seven years with the club before moving to Stade Reims, where he played for four seasons. After a year with lower league side RC Erpenay Champagne, he retired from playing and took up a position as the assistant manager of Stade Reims and then later Lorient in the same role. His time at Lorient coincided with Régis Le Bris’ stint as manager of their B team. In 2019, Florent moved away from coaching and into the roles of sporting director of Lens (2019-22), then Nice (2022-24) and most recently, Roma (2024-25).

Florent Ghisolfi had this to say:

"The club, players, staff, and supporters, achieved an amazing result last season. Together, these people brought Sunderland back to the Premier League, and I’m strongly determined to bring my experience and support this group to ensure the squad is ready to take the next step. This is an exciting challenge, and I’m looking forward to working alongside Kyril, Kristjaan, and Régis, as we enjoy this exciting new chapter in Sunderland’s history, alongside our fans."

Kristjaan Speakman said this:

"We have been on an incredible journey over the last four years, and we now face a new challenge as we prepare for life in the Premier League. The appointment of Florent marks an exciting new chapter in that journey. This appointment enhances our capabilities in line with the club’s long-term vision, and evolving our leadership structure in this way reflects our continued commitment to building a sustainable and competitive football club. I’m confident that players, staff, and fans alike will join me in welcoming Florent to Sunderland and supporting him in his new role."