Regis Le Bris – all you need to know about Sunderland’s promotion-winning manager
Regis Le Bris has earned himself hero status throughout his time at Sunderland.
Since arriving on Wearside, Le Bris has transformed Sunderland, and things only seem to be getting better for the Black Cats.
In his first season in England, he achieved promotion with Sunderland back to the Premier League, where he has since picked up six points from a possible nine.
That form earned Le Bris a nomination for August’s Premier League Manager of the Month award, and based on the early signs, it won’t be the last time.
His tactical fluidity and relationship with his players have played a key part in his success at the Stadium of Light.
Regis Le Bris’ managerial history
After breaking into the Rennes first team in 1994, Le Bris went on to have a nine-year career in football before turning to coaching in 2004.
He started as a youth coach at Wasquehal, before moving on to the youth group at Rennes and then eventually becoming the head of youth development at Lorient in 2012.
Ten years later, the Frenchman became a qualified coach and was appointed as first-team manager at Lorient, where his success started.
- 180 matches as Lorient B manager – 1.5 PPM
- 76 matches as Lorient first-team manager – 1.18 PPM
The Ligue 1 outfit finished 10th under his tenure in the first season, where a relationship with Enzo Le Fee was formed, alongside several other players who have gone on to bigger and better things.
Lorient would then suffer relegation the following season, not long before he was appointed as the new Sunderland boss following the sacking of Michael Beale at the Stadium of Light.
In his first season on Wearside, Le Bris achieved promotion to the Premier League, and that stands as his greatest managerial achievement to date.
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Regis Le Bris becomes instant Sunderland hero
Le Bris was influential in the deal to bring Le Fee to Sunderland, and that relationship with his players has flourished throughout his time at the Stadium of Light.
He brought a style of football to Sunderland that was not only effective but also entertaining to watch.
The transition into the Premier League has been seamless as a result, and the early campaign results have only showcased that.
- Three games
- Two wins
- Five goals scored
- Three goals conceded
Given how many years Sunderland spent outside of the top flight, the Frenchman is already a hero for being the man to prevent that absence living on, and is playing a massive role in the resurgence of what many would class as a sleeping giant.
If the Black Cats can avoid relegation this season, that legacy will only grow, as will his reputation in the North East
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