A new manager has been appointed by Sunderland.
On Saturday night, June 22, 2024, the club made an official announcement (see below) disclosing the information.
The new man in charge is Regis Le Bris.
If you are unfamiliar with him, he has only managed one team, Lorient, which was demoted from Ligue 1 in May 2024 after only 29 points from 38 league games, placing them in second place.
There have been claims in France that Regis Le Bris was set to be sacked, however, Sunderland have instead paid compensation to take him.
Newcastle United fans watching on with interest, as the Mackems appoint their ninth new manager since last relegated from the Premier League in 2017.
The run-in to the end of last season saw Sunderland win only two of their final 15 second tier matches and lose ten of them. Relegation form in anybody’s money if that continues into the new season.
Despite having the eighth biggest budget in Ligue 1 last season and backed with significant investments such as Benjamin Mendy, Isaak Touré, Mohamed Bamba, and Formose Mendy among others, Regis Le Bris oversaw a disastrous season of just 29 points and relegation, this was a serious collapse for a club that had finished tenth the previous season on 55 points.
Sunderland official announcement – 22 June 2024:
Sunderland AFC is delighted to announce the appointment of Régis Le Bris as Head Coach.
The Frenchman will arrive on Wearside on 1 July 2024 and sign a three-year contract at the Stadium of Light.
Régis’ move to the North East brings an end to his 12-year association with French side FC Lorient, which included leading Les Merlus’ senior team from June 2022 to June 2024.
Following his appointment, Régis said: “I am honoured to be joining Sunderland AFC and look forward to immersing myself in the culture of the Club and the city. I believe the best way to understand and appreciate what makes a Club unique is to connect with the people who embody its spirit – the supporters, the community and all those who contribute to its character. All coaches talk about their enthusiasm and vision when they start a new role. I’m certainly here to pass on my energy and my convictions, but also to listen and learn. The history of this Club is very strong, and this is a unique opportunity to be part of that legacy. I recognise the potential of our team, a group that has seen both successes and more difficult times. Our journey together has only just begun, and I am ambitious about what we can achieve. I want us to bring joy to our fans, not only through results, but also through our style of play, and I’m convinced that with commitment and hard work, we can write an exciting new chapter.”
Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman added: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Régis’ calibre to Sunderland. He is a talented coach, who is thoughtful and detailed in his approach and values strong relationships with players and staff. He is aligned with delivering our playing identity and he shares our ambition to win, as well as our passion for talent development. We are excited by the new ideas Régis will bring to Sunderland and look forward to supporting him in his new role.”
Chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus concluded: “I must start by thanking our fans for their patience and support throughout an extensive recruitment process. It was imperative for us to try and appoint a candidate who could build on the foundations we have established and play an integral part in fulfilling our long-term ambitions. After following Régis’ career in recent years and meeting with him extensively, we believe he can make that contribution and we are delighted to welcome him to Sunderland AFC. I’m looking forward to the 2024-25 season and excited for us all to be back together at the Stadium of Light in August.”
Régis spent most of his playing career with Stade Rennais and he returned to Roazhon Park as Head of Academy Coaching in 2004 after concluding his playing career with Stade Lavallois and K.S.K. Ronse.
An immensely successful tenure with Les Rennais included an Under-18 national title and victory in the Coupe Gambardella, France’s equivalent of the FA Youth Cup.
Régis moved to Lorient in 2012 to lead the Club’s youth development programme and he nurtured many highly regarded talents, whilst also coaching Lorient B from 2015 to 2022.
The Frenchman took charge of the Brittany-based outfit’s senior team in June 2022 and guided them to their highest top-tier finish in almost a decade, as the Club registered its second-highest points tally in their Ligue 1 history.
Welcome to Sunderland, Régis!
