BREAKING: Kyril Louis-Dreyfus reacts as Sunderland confirm key boardroom figure will leave this summer
Sunderland has officially announced that chief operating officer Steve Davison will be departing at the conclusion of the current campaign.
Chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus expressed gratitude for Davison’s contributions, stating that his efforts have positioned the club to advance to the next stage. Davison, a lifelong supporter of the club, joined following Louis-Dreyfus’ takeover and played a vital role in both the men’s and women’s teams.
The club faced various off-field challenges this season, with notable scrutiny surrounding the arrangements for Newcastle United’s visit to the Stadium of Light for an FA Cup third-round fixture earlier this year. Davison will remain in his role until the season’s end before embarking on a new direction along with the club.
Louis-Dreyfus conveyed appreciation for Davison’s commitment and professionalism, highlighting his leadership during challenging times. He emphasized that Davison leaves the club prepared to elevate to the next level, and extended well wishes for his future endeavors, reaffirming that Davison and his family will always be welcomed at the Stadium of Light.
Davison expressed satisfaction in his contributions to the club’s long-term project of returning Sunderland from League One to the Premier League. He acknowledged leaving the club in a significantly improved state compared to when he first joined, thanked the club staff for their support, and wished them success in their future endeavors. He also conveyed anticipation for supporting Sunderland as a fan from the following season onwards.
In a detailed statement, Sunderland paid tribute to Davison’s significant contributions and outlined the key developments he had overseen during his tenure.
Sunderland’s statement in full
Davison began his tenure at SAFC amidst the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, compounded by the club’s presence in League One following successive relegations, which had necessitated significant resource reductions. Moreover, there had been a notable lack of investment in infrastructure for an extended period.
However, over the course of three transformative years, Davison spearheaded numerous successful initiatives. One noteworthy accomplishment was guiding the women’s team to promotion to the FA Women’s Championship, laying the groundwork for their success in the current season.
Under Davison’s leadership, engagement with key city institutions notably improved, leading to the establishment of several fruitful partnerships. This collaboration facilitated a revitalized concert program and the hosting of major events such as the Lionesses’ homecoming fixture in 2023 and the opening game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025.
Davison also played a pivotal role in modernizing the club’s facilities, introducing innovations such as a cashless stadium and digital ticketing. Additionally, he spearheaded efforts to secure 5G funding, which will play a crucial role in enhancing the fan experience in the years to come.
Furthermore, Davison oversaw the planning of multi-million-pound investment programs, with a recent focus on improving the stadium bowl. This included initiatives such as pitch replacement, upgrading floodlighting and the PA system, as well as introducing safety rails to facilitate safe standing areas.