Sunderland look set to appoint Regis Le Bris as their new manager.
Sunderland look set to end a four-month search for a new manager with the appointment of current Lorient boss Regis Le Bris.
Reports on Friday revealed that Le Bris, 48, was due to sign a two-year contract at the Stadium of Light, with the option for a further year.
Le Bris will replace Michael Beale who was sacked in February after just 12 games in charge, with Mike Dodds overseeing Sunderland’s fixtures until the end of the campaign.
The Black Cats eventually finished in 16th place of the Championship table and just six points above the relegation zone.
Le Bris, who worked as a youth coach at Stade Rennais for eight years before arriving at Lorient in 2022, was relegated from Ligue 1 last season after finishing in 17th place of the French top flight.
Sunderland will be just Le Bris’s second job as a manager. His Lorient side finished in 10th place of the table during the 2022/23 campaign, which was his first in charge.
Sunderland transfer plans under new manager Regis Le Bris
The summer transfer window officially opened for business this month, with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman making goalkeeper Simon Moore’s the club’s first signing.
Much more is needed from Speakman this summer. Last season’s downfall highlighted a distinct lack of depth within the side, with both Beale and Dodds suggesting that the first-team squad needed experience, and more specifically, Championship experience.
It’s understood that Le Bris’ arrival at Sunderland will mark a ‘wider restructure’ of the coaching staff, with Michael Graham adding that the club will now target ‘more experienced players’ in the summer transfer window.
One more thing is needed at Sunderland after Regis Le Bris appointment
Right now, Sunderland remain managerless. Le Bris is still technically in charge of Lorient and so Speakman and Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus need to get Le Bris over the line.
Then comes transfer matters. Sunderland definitely need to add more experience and the fact that the club have identified this is a good first step.
But when Le Bris is in place and he has a more experienced and balanced first-team squad, he then needs to be given time.
A two-year deal suggests that Sunderland are ready to give him at least a season. But one season may not be enough for him to properly work with the team, especially if a lot of Sunderland’s key players leave this summer.
Le Bris certainly seems like a risky appointment given his lack of experience in management, and his complete lack of management experience in English football.
But at this point, Sunderland fans may be happy to see anyone take charge, and for the club to simply press on with matters in the transfer market.