Sunderland to retain manager Regis le Bris after poor Premier League start

Sunderland are set to give manager Regis le Bris more time to turn around their season despite a poor start to the Premier League campaign, BBC Sport reported on 2 November 2026. Club sources told BBC Sport they believe the Frenchman can bring about an improvement in results.

Regis le Bris was appointed Sunderland manager in June 2024 when the club were in the Championship and he joined from Lorient in 2024. In his first season in charge he oversaw promotion back to the Premier League after an eight-year absence. The 50-year-old then guided the Black Cats to an impressive seventh-placed finish a year later, securing a spot in the Europa League. It was the first time Sunderland had qualified for European competition in 53 years.

Le Bris is under pressure following Saturday's defeat at Coventry. The loss left the Black Cats bottom of the table with just one win from their first nine league matches.

Sunderland have won two and drawn one of their Europa League league phase matches so far.

Sunderland face Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League at the Stadium of Light on Thursday. They then host Chelsea in the league on Sunday before the international break begins.