Sunderland Academy Manager leaves as backroom reshuffle continues

Sunderland are looking for a new Academy manager after Lewis Dickman has left the club. Dickman, who was in his second spell with the club, is the latest member of the Academy of Light to leave the Black Cats.

He was appointed as permanent Academy Manager in February 2021 after eight months spent combining the role with that of Head of Coaching. Stuart English is expected to look after the academy on an interim basis while the club looks to appoint a permanent successor to Dickman.

English followed Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman from Birmingham City to Wearside in February 2021 and was given the Head of Coaching role at Sunderland. Dickman, 45, returned to Sunderland after five years working for the Football Association.

Read more: Jack Clarke says Sunderland's opening day draw has given the Black Cats a platform to build on

He was appointed as Head of Coaching in September 2019, and then combined the role with working as Acting Academy Manager when Paul Reid left the club. He had previously worked as Youth Development Lead before being headhunted by the FA.

Under his stewardship, he guided Sunderland through two audits to ensure the Academy retained its Category One status despite the club struggling in League One. Dickman has also overseen a revival in fortunes of the Under-23s over the last 12 months, while the club's highly-rated U15s won the National Floodlit Cup in April.

Dickman is the latest departure from the Academy of Light. Goalkeeper coach David Preece and first team coach Phil Jevons also left the club last month, while Dickman's brother Elliott, who was in charge of the Under-23s, joined rivals Newcastle United last November.

Michele Di Mascio has also left his position as Head of Player