Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris admits that some people doubted his ability to restore the club's fortunes after a dismal spell in the lower divisions, but he believes that the team has shown "team spirit" under his guidance. The 40-year-old Frenchman took charge of the Black Cats just six months ago and oversaw a summer recruitment spree, signing 14 new players from across Europe.
Le Bris credits the arrival of Switzerland international Granit Xhaka with being instrumental in bringing stability to the dressing room. "Granit leads by example," he says. "He gives us faith and hope. On the pitch he micro-manages situations. He solves problems." Xhaka, a midfielder who joined from Bayer Leverkusen, has quickly become a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light.
The Frenchman's tactics have also been praised for their adaptability, with defenders like Nordi Mukiele and Trai Hume willing to play out of position at times. "We have conversations about it," Le Bris explains. "In modern football, it's very important to be adaptable." This approach has allowed the team to gel quickly, and they are now enjoying a bright start in their return to the top tier.
Le Bris is also keen to point out that his recruitment policy was not just about signing big-name players but also about assessing their personalities. "That's really important in the recruitment process," he says. "When you analyse a player through video footage, you can watch his technical abilities, his physical attributes and so on, but you can observe his behaviours as well."
Despite Sunderland's impressive start, Le Bris remains humble and aware that there is still work to be done. "We still have to improve to stay competitive," he says. "So far, we have never shown we are complacent, which is still possible. The dynamics are still fragile. We know the Premier League is really hard."
The 40-year-old's vision for Sunderland extends beyond the football pitch, with a focus on regeneration and community development in the city. He has overseen major developments in areas like the Sheepfolds, where abandoned industrial sites have been transformed into vibrant communities with cafes, restaurants, and cultural facilities.
Le Bris is also proud of his successor to England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, 22-year-old Dutchman Robin Roefs. The £9m summer signing is part of a new generation of talented young players who are helping to drive Sunderland's resurgence.
Overall, Le Bris' success at Sunderland is a testament to the manager's ability to build a strong team culture and connect with his players. As the Black Cats continue their rise up the Premier League table, it will be fascinating to see how he navigates the challenges ahead.
Le Bris credits the arrival of Switzerland international Granit Xhaka with being instrumental in bringing stability to the dressing room. "Granit leads by example," he says. "He gives us faith and hope. On the pitch he micro-manages situations. He solves problems." Xhaka, a midfielder who joined from Bayer Leverkusen, has quickly become a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light.
The Frenchman's tactics have also been praised for their adaptability, with defenders like Nordi Mukiele and Trai Hume willing to play out of position at times. "We have conversations about it," Le Bris explains. "In modern football, it's very important to be adaptable." This approach has allowed the team to gel quickly, and they are now enjoying a bright start in their return to the top tier.
Le Bris is also keen to point out that his recruitment policy was not just about signing big-name players but also about assessing their personalities. "That's really important in the recruitment process," he says. "When you analyse a player through video footage, you can watch his technical abilities, his physical attributes and so on, but you can observe his behaviours as well."
Despite Sunderland's impressive start, Le Bris remains humble and aware that there is still work to be done. "We still have to improve to stay competitive," he says. "So far, we have never shown we are complacent, which is still possible. The dynamics are still fragile. We know the Premier League is really hard."
The 40-year-old's vision for Sunderland extends beyond the football pitch, with a focus on regeneration and community development in the city. He has overseen major developments in areas like the Sheepfolds, where abandoned industrial sites have been transformed into vibrant communities with cafes, restaurants, and cultural facilities.
Le Bris is also proud of his successor to England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, 22-year-old Dutchman Robin Roefs. The £9m summer signing is part of a new generation of talented young players who are helping to drive Sunderland's resurgence.
Overall, Le Bris' success at Sunderland is a testament to the manager's ability to build a strong team culture and connect with his players. As the Black Cats continue their rise up the Premier League table, it will be fascinating to see how he navigates the challenges ahead.
just read that Régis Le Bris says Granit Xhaka is like a 'problem solver' on the pitch lol like who isn't in football? but seriously, I'm loving this team's vibe under Le Bris they've got that team spirit thing down pat and it's amazing to see the squad gelling so quickly 
xhaka being a fan fave is no surprise though, he's always been a class act 
as for Le Bris' recruitment policy, assessing personalities is key, might not be the most glamorous job but someone's gotta do it 
Sunderland is lookin good rn and ppl should be rootin 4 him 
i love how he thinks outside the box and adapt his tactics 
and tbh, his recruitment policy is genius 
all about findin players w/ good personalities too 
can't wait to c Sunderland do well this season 
️
I'm loving the vibe of this new Sunderland squad 
️! Le Bris seems like a total winner 
. That Granit Xhaka fella is a gem 
, and it's awesome to see the team spirit he's bringing 
. I'm also feeling good about their youth recruitment policy 
- bringing in talented young players like Roefs is gonna take them to new heights 
! But, as Le Bris says, there's still work to be done 
he's got a good team dynamic goin on & granit xhaka is literally the glue that holds it all together 
like, who knew a swiss midfielder would b the key 2 gettin stability in the dressing room lol 
he's not just about winnin matches, he's got a vision for the team's future & it's really admirable 
I'm loving the 'team spirit' vibe he's got going on with Granit Xhaka leading by example 
. Still, gotta keep an eye on those Premier League challenges ahead 
!