Sunderland announce appointment of Bain as new CEO

Rob Conlon
Sunderland: Martin Bain will take over as chief exec

Sunderland: Martin Bain will take over as chief exec

Sunderland have announced the appointment of Martin Bain as the club’s new chief executive officer.

Bain, 47, will leave a similar position at Maccabi Tel Aviv to take up the role on July 1, replacing Margaret Byrne, who resigned in March in the wake of the conviction for sexual activity with a child of Adam Johnson.

Black Cats chairman Ellis Short told the club’s official website: “I am delighted to welcome Martin to Sunderland. With his commercial experience, commitment to working closely with local communities and impressive track record of building winning teams on and off the pitch, I know that we have someone that can take us forward.

“Martin will strive to transform our financial performances, which we acknowledge must improve significantly, into a stable and successful model, to give us a club that we and our fans can be proud of. In doing so, he will receive the full support of everyone at Sunderland AFC.”

Bain, who has also been Rangers’ CEO, added: “It is a great honour and privilege to become CEO at a club with Sunderland’s rich history and heritage. I have been fortunate to be a part of a team that has brought great success to two clubs with passionate supporter bases and I am excited by the opportunity to do the same at Sunderland.”

Byrne left her position when it emerged in Johnson’s trial that Byrne received transcripts of police interviews in which Johnson confessed to kissing a schoolgirl but allowed him to continue representing the club.