Regis Le Bris has had a phenomenal start to life as manager of Sunderland.
2023/24 was a season to forget for Sunderland, who sacked Michael Beale in February and did not bring in a new manager during the remainder of the campaign.
The North East outfit ended the season down in 16th place and things were looking bleak at the Stadium of Light.
However, Sunderland’s long wait for a new boss finally ended on June 22nd when they appointed Regis Le Bris to the dugout.
The Frenchman had no prior experience in the English game but it is fair to say he has enjoyed instant success with his new club.
Sunderland are second in the Championship table after six games, a far cry from where they were at this stage last season.
Now, if he wasn’t already loved enough by the fans, Le Bris has just achieved a very special feat after Sunderland beat Middlesbrough.
- READ MORE: Regis Le Bris explains surprise decision to not start key Sunderland star in Middlesbrough win
What Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris did vs Middlesbrough
Despite Middlesbrough’s mixed start to the 2024/25 campaign, the Black Cats were likely expecting a tough outing on Saturday.
Boro beat Sunderland 4-0 in this fixture last term and have largely dominated the Tees-Wear derby for many years.
In fact, prior to September 21st, Middlesbrough had avoided defeat in all but one meeting with Sunderland since 2012.
However, after picking up the win on Saturday, Le Bris has become the first Sunderland manager to win their first Tees-Wear derby since all the way back in 2005.
The last manager to do so was Mick McCarthy, who beat Boro 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium on September 25th, 2005.
- READ MORE: Regis Le Bris could soon be hit with troubling Sunderland dilemma despite Middlesbrough win
Kristjaan Speakman may now have Regis Le Bris problem
Sunderland’s staggering start to the season is great news for fans and for the club itself.
But sporting director Kristjaan Speakman may now have a potential Le Bris headache to deal with.
The Premier League campaign is in full swing and though only early stages, the managerial sack race is already heating up.
Most struggling sides opt to change their manager around the winter period if they fear a relegation battle is on the cards.
And given the way Le Bris has transformed Sunderland since his arrival in June, it would not be surprising to see a top-flight club approach him in the near future.
The 48-year-old is tied down to a three-year deal, but contracts in football mean very little, with any interested club likely willing to pay Sunderland a handsome fee in order to get the former FC Lorient out of his deal.