As Sunderland basked in the afterglow of their magnificent play-off final win over Sheffield United in May, they had every right to feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction and pride.

This was the culmination of a project that had begun when they were still floundering in League One four years ago.

Promotion to the Premier League that season had been an ambition, but nothing more than that. Very few people actually thought it would be possible, especially in the timescale it was achieved. That just made the success taste even sweeter as the champagne (and beer) flowed freely.

With the youngest owner in the four top divisions in England in Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, now 28, and a new sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, the club were a figure of fun and the punchline of far too many jok

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