Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris issues bullish message to Pep Guardiola and Arne Slot during interview
Sunderland Boss Régis Le Bris Reflects on Promotion, Premier League Ambitions, and Passionate Fanbase
Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris gave a series of in-depth interviews over the weekend to Italian outlets Gazzetta dello Sport and Cronache di Spogliatoio, discussing the club’s remarkable promotion, the unique energy of the fanbase, and his outlook ahead of the Black Cats’ return to the Premier League.
Sunderland’s Revival
Reflecting on the club’s climb back to the top tier, Le Bris described Sunderland as a “sleeping giant” now awakening.
“Sunderland is a giant of English football that has fallen and is now resurrecting,” he said.
“What struck me most from watching the series was the deep bond fans have with the club. These are people who live and breathe Sunderland — their passion is truly incredible.”
First Impressions of Wearside
Le Bris also shared how the city’s football culture made an immediate impression on him:
“The first time I met the fans was outside the club shop when the new shirt was released. There was a 100-meter queue—some had been waiting since morning. They didn’t know me; I was practically a stranger. That moment showed me how much the club means to them.”
Defying the Odds
Recalling the pre-season predictions, Le Bris highlighted how far the team has come:
“According to Opta, we had less than a 5% chance of finishing in the top six and a 25% chance of relegation. But we proved the doubters wrong. Through our work on the pitch and the unity within the squad, we harnessed our collective energy to achieve something great.”
Preparing for the Premier League
Looking ahead to the challenges of top-flight football, Le Bris compared the Premier League to elite competition:
“It’s the NBA of football. But it’s an exciting challenge — and we thrive on challenges. I’m not afraid. This has to be a collective mission. We’re building a strong team, strong staff, and strong structure. Staying true to our values will be key to succeeding at this level.”
A Magical Moment at Wembley
Le Bris recalled the unforgettable scenes after securing promotion at Wembley Stadium:
“There were 35,000 Sunderland fans celebrating. It was pure magic. When the journalists came for interviews, I told them: ‘Give me two minutes. Let me share this moment with the fans.’ It took a while to sink in, but yes — we’re in the Premier League.”
Facing Top Managers Like Guardiola and Slot
When asked about facing elite managers such as Pep Guardiola and new Liverpool boss Arne Slot, Le Bris kept his focus grounded:
“I don’t dwell too much on the future or what’s at stake. I live in the moment and focus on how to improve the team right now. That’s how I’ll approach games — even against the likes of Liverpool — one minute at a time.”
