Rare blow for Regis Le Bris as key Sunderland figure set to exit
Sunderland have been making seismic waves in the transfer window, with a wealth of new signings in the North East.
Granit Xhaka is the latest ‘wow’ addition at the Stadium of Light and will add much-needed steel in the engine room.
As well as incomings, there have been significant outgoings, with Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson departing Sunderland.
Now, there has been another departure on Wearside, which will have an impact on Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris.
Sunderland coach departs Stadium of Light
Robin Roefs appears to be the next Sunderland signing through the door after a deal was agreed with NEC Nijmegen.
The transfer shows that there is no room for sentiment in the Premier League as Anthony Patterson is set to lose his number one jersey.
With all the signings, there are bound to be more players leaving, and there are a host of fringe players linked with exits.
| Position | Signings |
| Defenders | Reinildo Mandava |
| Midfielders | Enzo Le Fee, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka |
| Wingers | Simon Adingra, Chemsdine Talbi |
However, rather surprisingly, there have been significant reports of a coaching departure at the Stadium of Light.
That is because assistant coach Pedro Ribeiro will leave Sunderland, according to TVI Noticias (30 July).
The outlet reports that the 39-year-old intends to refocus on his career as a head coach and is available to accept new challenges in Portugal.
Ribeiro was only appointed as assistant coach in October 2024, but an official announcement on his departure is expected imminently.
It marks a rare blow for Le Bris, who has seen his side enjoy an incredible summer of activity so far.
What effect will Ribeiro departure have on Black Cats?
Coaches departing are nothing new for Sunderland, as they lost Mike Dodds to Wycombe Wanderers last season.
Furthermore, Le Bris will likely play it down, and it is important to remember that he was without an assistant at the start of last season.
The Black Cats have been savvy in the transfer market and will surely be able to replace Ribeiro with a necessary candidate if necessary.
Indeed, the Wearsiders have already appointed three new coaches:
- Luciano Vulcano
- Isidre Ramon Madir
- Neil Cutler
Vulcano was appointed as assistant head coach, and therefore, Sunderland may not need to recruit a Ribeiro replacement.
It will be interesting to see how the North East club reacts to the departure and if they pursue a replacement.
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