Ally McCoist has spoken on Sunderland’s ongoing manager search, as French manager Regis Le Bris is linked to the job
Sunderland have been in a position of uncertainty ever since the departure of Michael Beale on February 19th, making it well over 100 days since the Black Cats had a permanent manager.
Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has been searching for a new manager, suggesting earlier this month that a deal was imminent.
He seemingly came close to hiring Will Still, and then Liam Rosenior, both of which broke down in the interview stage.
QPR manager Marti Cifuentes was an option, however there was uncertainty over the six-figure compensation to attain the services of the Spaniard.
They are now reportedly in advanced talks with FC Lorient manager Regis Le Bris, who has shown interest in the vacant position.
But since, former Sunderland player Ally McCoist has spoken out on the ongoing Sunderland managerial hunt.
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Ally McCoist on the perfect manager for Sunderland
It is clear that Sunderland are looking towards the more youthful coaches in European football to lead them next season, with previous contenders for the job Still, Rosenior and Cifuentes having an average age of 37-years-old.
Speaking to Football League World, McCoist has called for a young coach to take charge of the Black Cats
McCoist said: “I’d like to see a young manager go in there and be given the opportunity over two or three years to just get on with it.
“They need to find a good, young coach – one that they believe in – and say, ‘no matter what happens, we’re going to give you a couple of seasons.”
READ MORE: Alan Nixon shares UPDATE on Sunderland pursuit of QPR manager Marti Cifuentes
Is Regis Le Bris a good fit for Sunderland
Although the 48-year-old doesn’t entirely meet the description of being a young coach, his previous work in youth football could prove to be necessary for Sunderland and remains the French coach’s biggest selling point.
Le Bris’ coaching career spans back to the 2012/13 season where he was appointed as manager of the Lorient U19s, where he has since been at Lorient B for 150 games.
In this long tenure in youth coaching, he was pivotal in the development of players such as Matteo Guendouzi.
In the 2023/24 season, Sunderland’s average age across the squad was only 23-years-old, showing there are many promising players within the ranks that haven’t quite met their potential yet.
Le Bris could be perfect in overseeing the development of the youthful Sunderland outfit, who at their best could potentially push towards the top six of the Championship next season.