Manager

Regis Le Bris was named as Sunderland manager in June 2024, marking their first permanent head coach since sacking Michael Beale in February of that year.

Le Bris has done brilliantly since taking over the reins at the Stadium of Light, especially considering this is his first role outside of his home nation. The Frenchman signed a three-year deal, which will last until June 2027.

Black Cats bosses opted to fire Michael Beale only 12 games into his tenure on Wearside having won just four times. Mike Dodds, who was already a part of Sunderland’s coaching staff having been Beale’s assistant, then took over until the end of the 2023/24 campaign before Le Bris was hired.

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris’ past coaching career

Sunderland manager, Le Bris, first embarked on a career as a coach in the youth set-up at French side Wasquehal Football. Joining in 2003, he spent a year at the club before embarking on a new adventure at Rennes.

At the Ligue 1 side, he spent eight years working as a youth coach. Here, he successfully won the top flight in the Under 19s league as well as a cup.

In 2012, he left to begin a new adventure at Lorient, becoming the side’s head of youth development. Le Bris also became the Under 17s manager where he once again won the league for the age group.

His success eventually saw him take over as the manager of the Lorient B side in 2015. In this role, he once again impressed as he oversaw the progression of future Premier League stars such as Mattéo Guendouzi and Illan Meslier.

In June 2022, he made the step up to become the manager of the Lorient first team ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. Le Bris’ first year in charge was largely successful, as he guided the club to a 10th-place finish in the division. This feat earned him a contract extension until June 2027.

However, the following year was less impressive. Lorient and Le Bris finished the campaign second from bottom, condemning the side to relegation.

As a result, Le Bris left the club before quickly being announced as the Sunderland manager in June 2024.

Regis Le Bris’ playing career

Sunderland manager Le Bris never had a relatively short playing career before becoming a coach. Lasting between 1994 and 2003, the Frenchman first burst onto the scene as a defender for Rennes. In 1999, he then moved to Laval where he remained until 2002 before joining Belgian side Ronse until 2003. After this, he hung up his boots and became a coach.

Regis Le Bris at Sunderland

Le Bris became the new Sunderland manager in June 2024, officially ending the club’s long wait for a new permanent manager in the dugout and at the Academy of Light.

The Frenchman made a bright start to life on Wearside, leading Sunderland to the top of the Championship table. Results hit a rough patch around November and through to the New Year as the Black Cats dropped to fourth place behind Sheffield United, Burnley, and eventual champions, Leeds United.

However, they were able to put together enough points to stay in fourth and land a play-off spot. From there, something magical happened.

Sunderland made it past Coventry City in the semi-finals. That was all thanks to a dramatic goal from Dan Ballard in the dying moments of the second leg.

Then, in the final at Wembley, it was another injury-time goal that made Black Cats history. Tommy Watson swept the ball past Sheffield United’s Michael Cooper to propel Sunderland into the Premier League.

Upon joining the top tier of English football, Le Bris and the Sunderland owners have revamped the Black Cats squad and made waves in the Premier League. With £163m spent and 15 new faces through the door, Sunderland have been able to compete at the highest level very quickly.

It remains to be seen just how high they can finish in 2025/26. But, it looks like Sunderland are on a very bright and positive path right now.