New Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris may be given more time at the club than some of his predecessors.
Sunderland appointed Regis Le Bris as their new head coach in June, ending a four-month search process following the sacking of Michael Beale in February.
Beale lasted just 12 games in charge of Sunderland. Before him, Tony Mowbray lasted 65 games in charge, and Alex Neil just 19.
The Sunderland job is proving to be a hot seat once more under the ownership of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.
But the French owner has hired Le Bris on a three-year contract whereas Neil was on a rolling deal and Mowbray was initially hired on a two-year contract at the Stadium of Light.
Fans will be hoping to see some stability with the club after a rocky 2023/24 season in the Championship, in which Sunderland finished in 16th place of the table.
And journalist Phil Smith has now explained why Le Bris could be here to stay at Sunderland.
Phil Smith explains why Regis Le Bris may be given time at Sunderland
Le Bris arrives at Sunderland after just two years in management, both years coming with Lorient.
Le Bris previously worked as a youth coach with Lorient, and before that with Stade Rennais, totally nearly 20 years in youth football before making his breakthrough as a manager.
Speaking on On The Whistle, Smith explained how Le Bris’ background in youth football may suggest that Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman are ready to give Le Bris time at Sunderland.
Smith said: “There’s context to why Neil and Mowbray came in; Neil was to get out of that division [League One], Tony Mowbray was very much to stabilise, and I think you always felt like they were, not short-term appointments, but there was a specific reason why they were appointed.
“I think with Regis Le Bris, you can see there’s a bit more of a long-term plan. Especially because of his record in player development; the fact that he worked so long in academies.
“So I think there is an element of that. But he has to win games.”
Kristjaan Speakman and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus must learn one vital lesson at Sunderland
Like Smith says, Louis-Dreyfus and Speakman may never have viewed Neil or Mowbray as long-term appointments.
The club’s treatment of Mowbray suggested that, with Sunderland linked with a handful of managers when Mowbray was still in the job on Wearside.
Even with Michael Beale, there never seemed to be a sense that he could lead the club in the long run, and the club’s decision to sack him after 12 games also suggested that.
But Sunderland have landed an apparent long-term target in Le Bris who has key experience of working with younger players, which will be vital for Sunderland in their development of youth players.
Now, it’s about giving Le Bris time and backing, on and off the pitch, so that he at least has a chance to try and succeed with the club.
But like Smith says, if Le Bris starts next season poorly and Sunderland aren’t winning games, there could well be another change.
