Sunderland are reported in ‘advanced’ talks to appoint 48 year old Regis Le Bris who is keen on joining the Championship outfit.
We can only hope Sunderland’s search for a head coach is coming to an end, with it was just two weeks ago since Kyril Louis-Dreyfus said a decision was ‘imminent’.
Within the time, a number of contenders have come and gone, with reporter Michael Graham claiming that the club have become increasingly frustrated with the work permit application process as it is now over 120 days since the sacking of Michael Beale.
The Black Cats have been linked with a number of names since the end of the season, Will Still was a long-standing interest but went to lens, Pascal Jansen joined Ferencvaros, Liam Rosenior ruled himself out and Marti Cifuentes’ compensation an issue.
Now their interest turns to Le Bris, manager at Lorient, but the club have just been who relegated from Ligue 1, and he is expected to step down from the role.
According to Belgian reporter Tavolieri, Le Bris has expressed a strong interest in joining Sunderland, and talks between the two parties are already at an advanced stage.
This was backed up by Sky Sports’ Keith Downie and Scott Wilson of the Northern Echo on Friday (21st June).
Keith tweeted: “Can confirm Sunderland are in advanced talks with French manager Régis Le Bris. Sunderland hopeful of appointing the 48-year-old over the weekend. Le Bris was on a 5-man shortlist drawn up by the Sunderland hierarchy after Michael Beale left in Feb. Process has been drawn out due to approach for Will Still, and the fact Le Bris needs a work permit. But Sunderland confident that will be granted. Sunderland currently trying to tie up loose ends with Lorient, where Le Bris is still in charge.”
He added: “Understand Sunderland first opened talks over Le Bris almost three weeks ago, but his work permit & dealing with Lorient have dragged things on a bit. Led to believe that outwith Will Still, there was no pecking order within the 5-man shortlist for #SAFC, and Le Bris was on it. While Le Bris took Lorient down last season, the feeling within the club is he was dealt a rough hand with top player departures, and was impressive leading them to a top-10 finish the previous campaign. Sunderland hopeful the Frenchman will travel to Wearside next week ahead of the players returning for pre-season.”
🦁🔴 Infos #SAFC :
🇫🇷 Régis Le Bris keen to join #Sunderland !
🗣️ Talks with trainer side are advanced to find an agreement on personal terms.
1️⃣ He’s the chosen one. #mercato #SkyChampionship #FCLorient pic.twitter.com/NDZOisV4q8— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) June 21, 2024
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
Le Bris has been at the helm of Lorient since 2022, having been appointed almost two years ago.
During his tenure, he has overseen a total of 76 games for the French club, achieving victory in 23 of them.
Despite having a relatively short playing career, the 48-year-old has primarily focused on his managerial career, with the majority of his time spent in France’s top tier.
In his first season with Lorient, Le Bris led the team to a 10th place finish, surpassing Will Still’s Stade de Reims by one position.
However, in the previous season, Lorient found themselves in the relegation zone, resulting in their upcoming participation in second tier football next season.
This is what fans are saying with Sunderland reportedly in ‘advanced’ talks to appoint 48 year old who is keen on joining…
@FTM1042: Jeez cmon that is shocking again by KLD & speakman. Got Lorient relegated and a 30% won ratio over two seasons hardly screams ambitious.
@1Arty: Having a bet on relegation if he is appointed.
@jonnypunk1965: Our away following Singing We are on the piss with Reg Le Bris 🎶🎶🎶
@drew_wallace86: Please no
@Anthony_Bulmer: Absolute desperation appointment. 30% win rate.
@paulthomase: GET @krespeakman OUT OF THIS CLUB!!!
@RamseySAFC: Looks like that is that. The record he had last season looks a bit worrying however there were external reasons as well. He has a good record with young talent. Just need to back him and see what happens. #SAFC
@DwightDD64: Can we try and not diss this manager until he’s had time. Don’t want another Beale scenario playing out
@slashySAFC: Great appointment. Did amazing with them with one of the lowest budgets in the league. Shame about his relegation but ultimately a fantastic coach.
@LdoubleE_87: Get in! We’ve finally found someone cheap, who doesn’t want their own staff and will nod his head to Speakman! #SAFC
@LBarks72: 120+ days and this is the coach apparently set to take over. Just been relegated in France and stats aren’t inspiring at all 🤷🏼♂️ #safc
@safc_fanzone: If you’re happy with a manager, this poor getting the Sunderland Job, then I am sorry, but you’re problem as well. Time for KLD sell up #SAFC
@Anthony_Bulmer: 30% win rate. Desperate appointment.
@Unseen5292: Number one choice this week.
@Cogdon: 30% win rate, only played 80 games in a 10 year pro career. Took a 19 year hiatus from football after he retired and only got the Lorient job due to family connections and got relegated last year. Absolute madness. What are we doing
@MartyWilko: Number one choice lol , he was never number 1 choice , cmon man do they think we are all daft , he’s the one left after all the knock backs let’s face it , his win record is Beale class
@Mcewan1320David: This is a joke. 30% win rate, relegation and just over a goal per game.
@w11_leo: May as well have picked a random bloke off the street
@_Andyapple5_: If we sign Regis Le Bris as head coach, can we all just back him & reserve judgement until at least Mid-season 🤷♂️ Give the guy a chance at least to establish himself & stamp his way of playing. I’m not happy with how long it’s taken either but let’s draw a line & move on #SAFC
@SafcDom99: So we are already writing off Régis Le Bris because of his win rate with an awful team, weird how Bayern Munich did not care about Kompanys win rate, even more weird is that Beale has the 3rd best win rate in Rangers history…
@rokerroarontour: This is pretty simple. Take an eternity to appoint someone so everyone is sick of being without a head coach so just happily accept whatever uninspiring puppet Speakshite appoints. Guarantee Dodds remains as KS eyes n ears in the dressing room. #safc
@MattySunlun: Nice to see we’re aiming for relegation
@BrownSlices: Did a good job at Lorient until he got sold down the river, but what stops that from happening here?
@steveosafc: FFS hope this is just another pile of 💩 or we have well n truly scraped the bottom of the fucking barrel
@SystemOfADan30: People livid he’s got a 30% win percentage at Lorient. It was the top flight of France. Steve Cooper, who most would have rightly been over the moon with, has a 22% top flight win percentage. Le Bris just 2 seasons ago finished 10th in Ligue 1.
@davis0688: Just seen they got relegated last season with 7 wins having ended 10th and 20 points clear the season before. Fuck me
@aaron20041973: if he does come, he finished higher than Will Still in his first season with a far far worst squad than he had, Lorient sold their best players and never replaced them, could be good could be horrendous who knows
@Ridderz86: He’s the chosen one but 6th choice
@SAFC_Luke_2703: Feels very underwhelming but I’ll back him. Clinging onto how he did the season before last and before he was completely shafted by their board
Regis Le Bris ⚽️ 👇
— A LOVE SUPREME (@ALS_Fanzine) June 21, 2024
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