Sunderland AFC confirm another exit after Blackburn Rovers shocker

Steve Davison, Sunderland’s chief operating officer, will be leaving the Stadium of Light, the club has confirmed.

Sunderland COO to leave at the end of the season

The club has officially announced that Davison will be stepping down from his position with the Black Cats at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Davison, a lifelong supporter of Sunderland, has been responsible for managing the business and non-football aspects of the club. Since joining during the Covid-19 pandemic, he has achieved several notable accomplishments. These include bringing the England Women’s team back to Wearside for international matches, facilitating the hosting of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025, and working towards enhancing the club’s own women’s team.

Under his leadership, plans have been set in motion for a substantial investment in the club’s stadium, encompassing a pitch replacement, upgrades to floodlighting, the introduction of safe standing areas, and the installation of a new PA system. Additionally, Davison played a key role in securing 5G funding for the club, a development expected to enhance the fan experience for years to come, according to the Northern Echo.

Chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus expressed gratitude to Davison for his dedication and contributions over the past three years on behalf of the Board of Directors and staff.

“He has led with integrity and professionalism, and even though we have all faced obstacles along the way, his contribution guarantees that the Club is prepared for the next phase of growth when he leaves.” The Stadium of Light will always welcome Steve and his family, and we wish him well as he embarks on his new chapter of success.”

Davison also stated, “I joined the Club with the aim of executing a long-term plan to guide SAFC from League One back to the Premier League. I’m proud to leave the Club in a significantly stronger position than when I first arrived. I extend my gratitude to the Club staff for their unwavering support and wish them every success going forward. I eagerly anticipate supporting SAFC as a fan once again from next season.”

While the current COO has made significant positive contributions to the club, he was part of the management team that faced criticism from Sunderland supporters for decorating the Black Cats Bar at the Stadium of Light with the black and white stripes of their arch-rivals, Newcastle United, ahead of their FA Cup third-round encounter in January.

Alongside Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, those in leadership positions within the club faced significant backlash from fans, a pressure that has only intensified in light of the team’s recent poor performance.

The summer is going to be crucial for Sunderland

The club’s statement does not hint at any surprise or sudden developments, but now they face the challenge of finding a replacement for Davison, who made significant contributions during his tenure with the club. Additionally, they must find a new head coach. Speakman has indicated that they are proceeding cautiously in their search for the next boss, although discussions have commenced, as reported by the Sunderland Echo.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, through his Patreon account, former Sheffield United manager has emerged as a leading candidate for the soon-to-be vacant position.

Where the Sunderland board ends up over the next few seasons may depend on the choices they make in the upcoming months. Their performance in the league and their form are both declining, with their 5-1 home loss to Blackburn Rovers on Easter Monday being their lowest point to date.

If the team wants to move forward as planned, these upcoming choices must be made correctly; else, they risk stagnating and becoming simply another regular in the second division.