Kristjaan Speakman appointed new Director of Football at F.C. Copenhagen
F.C. Copenhagen is delighted to present Kristjaan Speakman as the club's new Director of Football. Speakman will take up the position on 1 July and assumes overall responsibility for the club's entire football organisation.
Speakman arrives in Copenhagen with decades of experience and an impressive track record from English football. Most recently, he spent five years at Sunderland AFC as Sporting Director.
Under Speakman’s leadership, Sunderland rose from League One to the Premier League in a little over four seasons through an aligned and data-integrated structure which has since gained widespread recognition across international football.
Strong impression from the beginning
F.C. Copenhagen’s new Director of Football also brings extensive experience in talent development and recruitment at the highest level, having spent over a decade as Academy Director at Birmingham City, where he established one of England’s most respected talent academies.
"It is with great pleasure that we welcome Kristjaan Speakman to Copenhagen. We have conducted a very comprehensive recruitment process, and Kristjaan has made a strong impression from the beginning. He is exactly the profile we are looking for," says Chairman of PARKEN Sport & Entertainment, Henrik Møgelmose.
"Kristjaan combines a clear strategic instinct with a distinct sporting vision and a deep understanding of talent development. He also possesses strong human and leadership qualities. We have no doubt that he is the right choice for F.C. Copenhagen."
Renewal of the sporting organisation
Speakman assumes overall responsibility for all sporting operations at F.C. Copenhagen – from the first team, the academy and the women's team, to FC Rosengård 1917.
He will immediately engage in the transfer window while also leading the strategic renewal of the sporting organisation, as he builds a team around him in close collaboration with F.C. Copenhagen’s CEO, Jacob Lauesen.
"We have discussed this transformation in depth with Kristjaan throughout the process, and his strategic insight and experience has already been defining for the plan that is to be implemented. This is a man who knows what he wants and how to get there. It is a pleasure (to have him at the club," says Lauesen.
"In our evaluation process, we have identified a number of areas that need to be optimised as quickly as possible. Kristjaan is exactly the right person to lead that development. He brings impressive hands-on experience and a holistic, visionary approach. I am very much looking forward to working with Kristjaan as we strive to reach new milestones for F.C. Copenhagen.”
Everyone at F.C. Copenhagen would like to welcome Kristjaan to the club.
