"Good conversations" – Manager reveals meeting with director for Sunderland job

FC Copenhagen manager Bo Svensson revealed he held initial talks with Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman between his Mainz and Union Berlin roles, but discussions did not progress.

FC Copenhagen manager Bo Svensson has revealed that he held discussions with Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman about a potential move to the Stadium of Light. The talks took place between Svensson's departure from Mainz 05 in November 2023 and his appointment at Union Berlin in July 2024, when Sunderland were still in the Championship.

Speaking on a Danish podcast, Svensson said: "I spoke with Kristjaan between my time in Mainz and Union Berlin. As I recall, it was about whether a job at Sunderland might be on the cards, as they were in the Championship. Those were initial conversations, where we met and had good conversations in Copenhagen. It didn't get any further than that."

Sunderland ultimately appointed Régis Le Bris in July 2024, who guided the club to promotion and a seventh-place Premier League finish last season, qualifying for the Europa League. Svensson later joined FC Copenhagen in March 2025.