Sunderland are certainly enjoying their start to life under Regis Le Bris. But it’s not been an easy 2024 for the Black Cats, with a lot of trauma with regards to managers.
For Sunderland, 2024 has been a year of highs and lows. Right now of course, Sunderland are on a high, sitting in 1st place of the Championship table and looking like a new side. But just six months ago, the mood was desperately low.
Back in February, Sunderland sacked Michael Beale after just 12 games in charge. Mike Dodds was given the reigns at the Stadium of Light and Kristjaan Speakman changed his formula for finding managers, appointing Le Bris four months later.
A number of names were linked. Some were seemingly very close to taking the job, including Will Still and Liam Rosenior at one point. Others were distantly linked.
One name who was quite consistently linked throughout the summer was Paul Heckingbottom, and Sunderland actually go up against him this weekend.
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Paul Heckingbottom gives verdict on Regis Le Bris and Sunderland’s management approach
Former Sheffield United manager Heckingbottom was linked with Sunderland during the summer period, even being labelled as Speakman’s no.1 target at one point.
He took charge of Preston North End in August. Overseeing 14 games since, he’s won four, with Preston currently sitting in 21st place of the table and having won just one of their last five in the Championship.
The Lilywhites play host to Sunderland on Wednesday night. Speaking to the press ahead of the game, Heckingbottom spoke about Le Bris, Sunderland, and their approach to finding and appointing managers.
He had this to say: “I’ve seen a bit of them this season, which is the first time I have watched any of his teams; how they play and how they perform.
“But, it’s evident, I think Sunderland recruit their managers and coaches in a way where they look at their style, personality and whether they fit how they want to play.
“They would say they have got it wrong a couple of times, which has been evident in moving a couple of people along.
“They’re obviously really sure that this manager wants to play the same way and fits, idealistically, into how they see the game, and want to develop players.
“So far, they have been proved right.”
How close were Sunderland to appointing Paul Heckingbottom as manager?
Heckingbottom did look, at one point in the summer, the clear front-runner for the job at the Stadium of Light.
And on the whole, Sunderland fans were generally ready to accept Heckingbottom as their next manager.
In the end, though, it was reported that Heckingbottom was unhappy with the Sunderland staffing situation during the summer.
It was rumoured that Heckingbottom had been interviewed by Sunderland and so it certainly seems like there was a strong interest, though the Black Cats look to have made the correct appointment in Le Bris.
He still has a way to go this season. His side also have to bounce back following their 0-0 draw against QPR last weekend, with what is a real banana skin of a game against Preston.
Kick off is at 8pm on Wednesday night and the game will be shown live on Sky Sports.