OTD: LE BRIS JOINS

On this day in 2024, Regis Le Bris officially begun his tenure as Sunderland Head Coach.

Le Bris played for Rennes, Laval and KSK Ronse but never really reached the heights of French football, retiring at the age of 27 to focus on his coaching career in 2003.

After managing at youth level for his whole coaching career, he was given an opportunity as head coach at Ligue 1 side Lorient in 2022 on a three-year deal, after a seven-year spell as their B Team coach. In his first year in charge, he led them to a tenth placed finish and was rewarded with a contract extension till 2027.

The following season would not be easy for Regis though, with the departure of key players Terem Moffi and current Sunderland man Enzo Le Fee causing a considerable drop off for Lorient. Les Merlus were relegated in 17^th.

Sunderland did not let this taint there view on him though when looking for a replacement to Michael Beale, who departed in February 2024 in what was a rather toxic tenure at the club. The appointment had to be right and when Sunderland announced that our new head coach would be a man who had just gotten a side relegated from the French top division, fans were understandably a bit sceptical.

That was quickly forgotten though as the Black Cats started the season in red hot form with the loss of Jack Clarke not seeming to have any impact on the team with the Lads sat top in October. Understandably there was a drop off as the parachute clubs hit form and we had a slight dip but things were still looking promising for a possible automatic place. He was crucial in the signing of Le Fee from Roma because of there time together at Lorient, with the hope he could be the statement signing and the difference in whether or not promotion could be achieved.

The automatic dream did not last and it became clear we would have to settle for the play-offs. Regis made the bold decision to basically rotate and rest players for the last portion of the season which saw us pick up just one point in the last six games including scoring just one goal. The decision was heavily criticised at the time and many even questioned whether he could continue if we were to fail to gain promotion.

However, the decision turned out to be a master stroke with everybody going into the play-offs. Le Bris decided to go two up top in the semis which was crucial in the first leg especially, with Isidor and Mayenda’s pace causing Coventry problems on the counter with both getting on the score sheet.

Ballard barely featured as a starter due to Chris Mepham and Luke O’Nien’s strong partnership, yet Regis brought him back in where he put in two absolutely colossus displays as well as getting that famous late winner to send us to Wembley.

He continued to show he was not afraid to make bold decisions in the final, subbing off his captain Dan Neil for Tommy Watson who would go onto score the winner at Wembley to end the eight-year absence from the Premier League.

The odds were all having Le Bris to lead Sunderland back to the Championship but the club had other ideas. In came Granit Xhaka and fifteen other permanent signings as the club made it clear we weren’t just here to make up the numbers. A win at Stamford Bridge, points off Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United at the SoL and two derby victories later and Regis has led Sunderland back into Europe for the first time since the 1973/74 season.

What a journey it has been and as we head into Le Bris’ third campaign at the wheel, we can only dream this one can be as successful as the last two.