Sunderland CEO ecstatic at prospect of San Siro visit: “The Mackems in Milan”

Sunderland CEO Tom Burwell has expressed his delight that they have the chance to play at San Siro against AC Milan.

Milan discovered their Europa League opponents this afternoon, and it promises to be a challenging first phase. One of the pre-tournament favourites will come to San Siro in Benfica, while tricky away trips to face Olympiacos and Red Bull Salzburg are on the agenda.

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Milan will host Pot 2’s top-ranked team Ferencvaros, and will face the Premier League duo Sunderland and Bournemouth, at home and away respectively. Finally, the Rossoneri welcome Ararat Armenia and then have a trip to Levski Sofia.

As a reminder, this is a competition that the club have never won even when it was the UEFA Cup. Ruben Amorim is looking to end that hoodoo, having reached the final in 2024-25.

‘The Mackems in Milan’

Just like Bournemouth director Tiago Pinto shared his delight after the draw, Sunderland’s CEO Tom Burwell also spoke to TNT Sports to share his emotions follow the discovery of their opponents.

Tom, a year ago, Sunderland were preparing for life in the Premier League. Here you are in Monaco. Just how special is it to see Sunderland’s name back in that draw and competing on the European stage again?

“What an incredible experience it was. I’m sure there are many, many fans in the North East of England right now very happy with how the morning has gone.

“And that’s the thing – AC Milan at the San Siro. I mean, that is something for everyone to get excited about. I think, as we see it, it’s the Mackems in Milan. I think there could be 20,000 of us there. So, what a moment for our fans, and what a draw and an opportunity in front of us.”

What should Sunderland’s ambitions be in this competition?

“I think we have to be real. There is an opportunity that sits in front of us that hasn’t been there for 50 years. There’s an eight-game adventure, whilst also recognising that we’ve got a lot of work to do at home. But at the moment, and I say it to our fans all the time, enjoy it. Let’s get excited.”

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And is that the challenge, to build a squad that’s capable of maintaining those standards in the Premier League, but also then fighting on a European front as well this season?

” think that’s the challenge for any team battling in Europe, specifically in the Europa League, the Conference League. But it’s one that we’re revelling in and one that we look forward to.”