Régis Le Bris confirmed as Sunderland's new head coach

Le Bris will complete his move to the Stadium of Light on July 1 from French side Lorient where he spent two-years in charge from 2022.

Le Bris was part of a five-man shortlist held by Sunderland’s majority owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman as negotiations progressed in recent weeks following Lorient’s relegation from Ligue 1 in France.

The Frenchman, a former midfielder who played for Rennes, Laval and Ronse, spent eight years working in Rennes’ academy set-up before joining Lorient in 2012 where he coached the club’s under-19s and B-team before going on to become first team manager in 2022.

Le Bris was praised for a successful first season in charge at Stade du Moustoir after guiding Lorient to 10th place in Ligue 1 before losing a number of key players last summer which led to a difficult campaign in 2023-24 and the club being relegated to Ligue 2.

Despite last season’s setback, Sunderland’s hierarchy are confident Le Bris is the kind of progressive and innovative head coach they want to take the club forward next season as Louis-Dreyfus seeks a big improvement at the Stadium of Light following their 16th place finish in the Championship.

Le Bris joins Sunderland just two years into a five-year contract with Lorient with Sunderland owner Louis-Dreyfus admitting it was ‘imperative for us to try and appoint a candidate who could build on the foundations’ the club have established since returning to the Championship.

Louis-Dreyfus said: “I must start by thanking our fans for their patience and support throughout an extensive recruitment process.

“It was imperative for us to try and appoint a candidate who could build on the foundations we have established and play an integral part in fulfilling our long-term ambitions.

“After following Régis’ career in recent years and meeting with him extensively, we believe he can make that contribution and we are delighted to welcome him to Sunderland AFC. I’m looking forward to the 2024-25 season and excited for us all to be back together at the Stadium of Light in August.”

Sporting Director Speakman added: “We are delighted to have attracted someone of Régis’ calibre to Sunderland. He is a talented coach, who is thoughtful and detailed in his approach and values strong relationships with players and staff.

“He is aligned with delivering our playing identity and he shares our ambition to win, as well as our passion for talent development. We are excited by the new ideas Régis will bring to Sunderland and look forward to supporting him in his new role.”

After a period of negotiations in recent weeks, Lorient confirmed Le Bris’ exit on Saturday, paving the way for the Frenchman’s deal to Wearside to be finalised, with the 48-year-old signing a contract until 2027.

“FC Lorient would like to thank Régis Le Bris for his investment, his work, his determination and his professionalism over all these years, whether with the professional team or the training centre, and wish him the best for the future,” a statement by the French club read.

Loïc Féry, Lorient club president, added: “I would like to thank Régis for his many years at FC Lorient and regret that the results of recent months have not better reflected his daily investment and professionalism since his arrival at the club.

“He is a hard worker, and I wish him every success in his future endeavours.”

Following his appointment, Le Bris spoke of his honour at taking over at the Stadium of Light and says he is looking forward to ‘immersing’ himself within the both the club and the city and arrives ‘ambitious’ about what the club can achieve.

“I am honoured to be joining Sunderland AFC and look forward to immersing myself in the culture of the club and the city,” he said.

“I believe the best way to understand and appreciate what makes a club unique is to connect with the people who embody its spirit - the supporters, the community and all those who contribute to its character.

“All coaches talk about their enthusiasm and vision when they start a new role. I'm certainly here to pass on my energy and my convictions, but also to listen and learn.

“The history of this club is very strong, and this is a unique opportunity to be part of that legacy. I recognise the potential of our team, a group that has seen both successes and more difficult times.

“Our journey together has only just begun, and I am ambitious about what we can achieve. I want us to bring joy to our fans, not only through results, but also through our style of play, and I'm convinced that with commitment and hard work, we can write an exciting new chapter.”

Le Bris’ appointment finally brings to a close what has been an elongated search for a new head coach following Michael Beale’s sacking in February. Sunderland have been keen to undergo a thorough process in order to avoid similar mistakes made last season following Beale’s unsuccessful reign and have also suffered setbacks in that search, notably from Will Still who opted to remain in France in favour of a move to RC Lens last month.

Nevertheless, with Le Bris now is post at the Stadium of Light, preparations can finally begin in earnest with pre-season training to begin next week and the 2024-25 Championship season now just seven weeks away.

Le Bris’ first game in charge of Sunderland will be a pre-season double-header as the club face both South Shields and Gateshead on Saturday, July 13 before the new head coach takes his squad to Spain for a warm weather training camp in mid-July.

Le Bris’ first official game in charge of Sunderland will be over the weekend of Saturday, August 10 as Sunderland begin what they will hope to be a much-improved campaign in the Championship with promotion the target.

As yet, there has been no official confirmation of the make-up of Le Bris’ backroom staff at the Stadium of Light.