IT IS OVER : Sunderland FC captain Granit Xhaka has finally stepped down on his position of Captain with the following reasons…. see more

IT IS OVER: Sunderland FC Captain Granit Xhaka Has Finally Stepped Down From His Position as Captain — Reasons Emerge

Sunderland supporters have been left stunned by reports claiming that club captain Granit Xhaka has finally stepped down from his position as captain, bringing an unexpected twist to his leadership role at the Stadium of Light.

Xhaka was appointed Sunderland captain after arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2025, with manager Régis Le Bris trusting the experienced Swiss midfielder to provide leadership on and off the pitch. Sunderland officially described him as a natural leader when announcing his appointment.

Why Would Xhaka Step Down?

If the reported decision is confirmed, several factors could potentially explain the change. The demanding schedule of Premier League and European football has placed additional responsibilities on Sunderland’s squad, while Xhaka has continued to play an important role in midfield.

There has also been considerable attention surrounding Xhaka’s future during 2026. Chelsea made an approach for the midfielder during the summer, but Sunderland rejected an £8 million offer and subsequently maintained that their captain was not for sale. Xhaka then reaffirmed his commitment to Sunderland.

A Major Leadership Change

Xhaka’s importance to Sunderland goes beyond wearing the armband. He helped the club finish seventh in their first Premier League season after promotion and qualify for European football. He has also spoken publicly about the responsibility of leading the team and his desire to demand high standards from his teammates.

However, there is currently no reliable confirmation that Xhaka has actually resigned as Sunderland captain. As recently as September 16, reports described him as Sunderland’s captain during their Europa League victory over AZ Alkmaar.

For now, Sunderland supporters will have to wait for an official statement from the club or Xhaka himself before treating the captaincy story as confirmed.

More updates to follow as soon as an official announcement is made.