Methven will retain his 6% stake in the club but will be stepping down from the board officially next Thursday.

The Executive Director is starting a family in the New Year and is looking to step back after a punishing period following his takeover of the club alongside Stewart Donald in the summer of 2018.

The return of Juan Sartori, who will now be in the UK as a support to Donald, is also key in the timing of his decision.

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Charlie Methven is resigning as a director at Sunderland AFC

“This is a really tough decision to make, but for both family and work-related reasons it was something I felt I had to do,” Methven said.

“My wife and I are expecting our first child in the New Year, and the reality of my day job – which is largely political consultancy – is that the first months of a new government will be very challenging.

“I’ve been a largely absentee husband, father and colleague for nearly two years, as the SAFC project took over most of my life, and it’s time that I re-paid those close to me for their patience.

“As a shareholder, I will of course take a very keen interest in how we get on in the coming months and there are a couple of projects away from the day-to-day running of the club where I will continue to help Stewart and Juan, who has now returned to the country.

“Finally, I would like to thank Stewart, for his unfailing friendship and some great times, the SAFC staff, who have worked hard to keep the club running so professionally as we went about a tough re-structuring and SAFC’s supporters, especially those involved with the Red and White Army and the Branch Liaison Council.