Sunderland Association Football Club are known as “The Black Cats,” boasts a truly remarkable history stretching back to its formation in 1879. Founded by schoolmaster James Allan, the club quickly established itself as a powerhouse in English football’s early days. Let’s dive deep into the history of the Sunderland owner. Since joining the Football League in the 1890-91 season, Sunderland AFC wasted no time making its mark, achieving League Championship glory just one season later. This rapid ascent led William McGregor, the league’s founder, to famously dub them “The Team of All Talents” after a thrashing 7-2 victory against Aston Villa. In this article, we will answer the most discussed question among Sunderland fans, Who owns Sunderland AFC?
The club’s trophy cabinet boasts six top-flight titles, secured in 1892, 1893, 1895, 1902, 1913, and 1936. They also boast two FA Cup triumphs in 1937 and 1973, in addition to winning the FA Charity Shield in 1936. Sunderland is more than just a football club; it is a fundamental part of the identity of Tyne and Wear. The Stadium of Light, with its 49,000 capacity, stands as proof of the die-hard loyalty of its “Mackem” supporters, consistently boasting high attendance rates even when the club has found itself in lower divisions.
Throughout its long and storied journey, the club’s trajectory, for better or worse, has been intrinsically linked to those who have held the reins. Decisions made by the various owners, their financial strategies, and their leadership styles have all left an indelible mark on Sunderland’s legacy, shaping its successes, helping it endure challenges, and profoundly influencing its deep connection with the community.
The club’s history demonstrates a recurring pattern of significant highs and lows, with financial management often playing a pivotal role in these cycles. This enduring fan loyalty means that any ownership, past or present, operates under immense public scrutiny and carries a heavy responsibility to the community, making fan sentiment a crucial aspect of their impact. Even the new Sunderland owner has to go through this scrutiny.
Who owns Sunderland AFC ?
As of May 2025, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori are the new owners of Sunderland, with Louis-Dreyfus owning 64% and Sartori 36%. Louis-Dreyfus, born in 1997, became involved in February 2021, initially with a 41% stake. Sartori, a Uruguayan businessman, joined in 2018 and increased his stake alongside Louis-Dreyfus later.
By May 2023, Louis-Dreyfus further solidified his control, raising his shares to 64%, while Juan Sartori’s stake rose to 36%, effectively ending Stewart Donald’s direct involvement. This consolidation of ownership was largely welcomed by supporters, signaling a clearer direction for the club. The strategic vision under Louis-Dreyfus is centered on investing in young talent and providing them with opportunities, marking a clear departure from some previous approaches.
Their impact has been transformative. Focusing on a sustainable model, they have invested in youth development, with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman playing a key role. This strategy paid dividends with promotion from League One in the 2021-2022 season, followed by competitive Championship campaigns, including play-off appearances. In 2025, Sunderland won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, marking a significant milestone.
Fans generally support the Sunderland owner approach, appreciating the long-term vision, though some call for more spending on established stars. Community engagement, like initiatives at the Stadium of Light, has also boosted goodwill.
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Who are Sunderland A.F.C Owners - Kyril Louis-Dreyfus & Juan Sartori
Sunderland A.F.C. are primarily owned by Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori, who hold the majority of the club's shares.
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus: As the chairman of the club, Louis-Dreyfus is the majority owner of Sunderland, holding a 64% stake. He is a Swiss-French businessman and the son of the late former Olympique de Marseille owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus. He became the youngest chairman in English football history when his takeover was approved in 2021.
Juan Sartori: A Uruguayan businessman, politician, and executive, Juan Sartori is the co-owner of the club with a 36% share. He is also the founder of Union Group, an investment firm with interests in various industries. In addition to his role at Sunderland, he has a presence in other football ventures, including serving as a vice-president of French club AS Monaco.
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus Net Worth
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus net worth is estimated to be around £2 billion. This wealth is largely derived from a trust fund that he took over, which is connected to his family's fortune from the Louis Dreyfus Group, a global leader in agricultural commodities and other businesses. While he has a stake in his family's business, his mother, Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, is the primary chairwoman and has her own separate and larger net worth.
Juan Sartori net worth
Based on the available information, Juan Sartori net worth is estimated to be approximately £80 million. His wealth comes from his business career, including founding the Union Group, an investment firm with interests in various industries like agriculture and technology. He also holds a stake in Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp.
Sunderland Kyril Louis-Dreyfus takeover
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus's takeover of Sunderland A.F.C. was a multi-stage process that began in late 2020 and was finalized in February 2021. At just 23 years old, he became the youngest chairman in English football history upon the approval of the English Football League (EFL).
Initially, he acquired a controlling interest in the club from its previous owner, Stewart Donald, with Donald, Juan Sartori, and Charlie Methven all retaining minority shareholdings. However, it was later revealed that Louis-Dreyfus only held a 41% stake at the time, with the other owners holding the majority of the shares.
Over time, Louis-Dreyfus merged his ownership. In June 2022, he increased his stake to 51%, with Juan Sartori increasing his to 30%, and Charlie Methven selling his shares. Finally, in May 2023, Louis-Dreyfus and Sartori bought out the remaining shares held by Stewart Donald, officially making them the sole owners of the club. Louis-Dreyfus's shareholding now stands at 64%, while Sartori holds 36%.
Sunderland AFC Management Personnel
Let's take a look at the Sunderland AFC ownership.
Name
Position
Age
Nat.
Régis Le Bris
Manager
49
France
Michael Proctor
Assistant Manager
44
England
Isidre Ramón Madir
Assistant Manager
51
Spain
Alessandro Barcherini
Assistant Manager
39
Italy / England
Luciano Vulcano
Assistant Manager
37
Italy
Neil Cutler
Goalkeeping Coach
48
England
Jamie Harley
Performance Manager / Head of Medical
42
England
Jonathan Norris
Fitness Coach
35
England
Scott Ainsley
Fitness Coach
50
England
Keith McGrath
Fitness Coach
32
England
Mark Boddy
Match Analyst
41
England
Rachel Hindle
Game Analyst
33
England
Kristjaan Speakman
Sporting Director
46
England
Florent Ghisolfi
Director of Football
40
France
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus
Owner
27
Switzerland / France
Stuart Harvey
Head of Scouting
48
Northern Ireland
Chris Morris
Scout / Youth Chief Scout
35
England
Matthew Barratt
Scout
30
England
Ged McNamee
Scout
65
England
Simon Cooper
Scout
53
England
Jordan Rowan
Scout
33
England
Peter Brand
Medical Director Physiotherapy
50
England
Craig Evans
Physiotherapist
31
England
Ben Palmer
Physiotherapist
34
England
Kyle Mortland
Lead Academy Physiotherapist
32
Northern Ireland
Robin Nicholls
Academy Manager
34
England
Stuart English
Head of Academy Coaching
40
England
Sunderland AFC ownership
Sunderland AFC Sporting Director
Sunderland AFC currently has a dual-leadership structure for its football operations. Kristjaan Speakman serves as the Sporting Director. He has been in this role since December 2020 and is a key figure in the club's strategy, particularly in player recruitment and development.
In July 2025, the club also appointed Florent Ghisolfi as Director of Football. This is an interesting and somewhat unusual structure for a football club. The club has stated that this appointment is part of an evolution of their long-term strategy, particularly as they prepare for the Premier League. The exact division of responsibilities between Speakman and Ghisolfi has not been fully detailed, but they are expected to work together to enhance the club's capabilities in the transfer market and overall performance.
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori Primary Business
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori have distinct primary business interests that are the source of their wealth.
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus's primary business connection is to his family's company, the Louis Dreyfus Group. It is a major global player in the agricultural commodity trading sector. The company is one of the four "ABCD" companies that dominate the world agricultural commodity trading market and is involved in a wide range of products, including grains, oilseeds, cotton, and more. While Kyril net worth is largely tied to a trust fund from his family's fortune, his business interests are rooted in this massive enterprise.
Juan Sartori's primary business is the Union Group, a privately-owned investment and private equity firm that he founded. The Union Group holds interests across a diverse array of industries, including agriculture, technology, energy, and real estate, primarily in South America. His wealth is derived from his successful management of these investments and the growth of the Union Group's portfolio. He is also a co-founder and chairman of a SPAC, which has taken several organizations public.
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Sunderland AFC Owners History: From Past to Present
The biggest question that comes up is, who is the new Sunderland owner? Sunderland’s ownership history is as dramatic as its on-pitch battles, with each era bringing its challenges and successes. Here’s a detailed timeline of previous Sunderland Owner, supported by various sources, of the Sunderland owner.
The Modern Era & Stadium Shift (1995 – 2006): The mid-1990s marked a period of significant structural change for Sunderland. Under new chairman Bob Murray and manager Denis Smith, the club achieved promotion in the 1989-90 season. Peter Reid was appointed manager in 1995, a tenure that lasted until 2002. This period saw the monumental move from Roker Park, their home for nearly a century, to the new, state-of-the-art Stadium of Light in 1997. This relocation represented a huge step for the club’s infrastructure and capacity, reflecting a strategic vision for growth and modernization.
The Drumaville Consortium & Ellis Short (2006 – 2016): In 2006, the Drumaville Consortium took over the club, ushering in a new era of ownership. A notable early decision of this consortium was the appointment of Roy Keane as manager in September 2006. Following this period, Ellis Short became a prominent figure in Sunderland’s ownership, with his era extending until 2016. While the provided information does not extensively detail the specific impact of Short’s tenure, his ownership marked a significant chapter in the club’s recent history.
The Stewart Donald Years (2016 – 2021): Stewart Donald acquired a controlling stake in Sunderland in 2016. His ownership period was characterized by significant challenges and ultimately led to Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’s acquisition of a “controlling” stake in February 2021.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current majority owner of Sunderland AFC?
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Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is the current majority owner and Chairman of Sunderland AFC, holding a 64% stake. Juan Sartori holds the remaining 36%.
What is the "Bank of England club" nickname in Sunderland's history?
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The nickname "The Bank of England club" was given to Sunderland AFC in the immediate post-World War II years (1945-1959). This was due to their significant spending on player transfers, including record fees for players like Ivor Broadis, Len Shackleton, and Trevor Ford.
What major trophies has Sunderland AFC won throughout its history?
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Sunderland AFC has won six top-flight league titles (1891–92, 1892–93, 1894–95, 1901–02, 1912–13, 1935–36) and two FA Cups (1937, 1973). They also secured the FA Charity Shield in 1936 and the Sheriff of London Charity Shield in 1903.
How do Sunderland fans generally feel about the current ownership?
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Fan sentiment towards the current ownership is mixed. While there is appreciation for the focus on youth development, rebuilding club infrastructure, and a commitment to long-term sustainability, initial concerns arose from the perceived lack of transparency regarding Kyril Louis-Dreyfus's initial minority stake. The ongoing delay in converting owner loans to equity also causes some concern among supporters, who desire full ownership consolidation and quicker promotion to the Premier League.
Has Sunderland won any trophies under the current ownership?
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While no major trophies yet, they’ve achieved promotions and play-off success, including the 2025 Premier League return, showing progress.
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