Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has delivered a glowing verdict on the club’s transformative summer transfer window, hailing the ownership and recruitment team for their “really impressive” work in preparing the squad for life back in the Premier League.
After a modest rebuild last year following a 16th-place finish in the Championship, Sunderland went all-in this summer, spending over £150 million and securing 14 new signings to bolster their ranks. The result? A squad brimming with talent, depth, and ambition — and a manager who couldn’t be more pleased.
🔁 From Rebuild to Reinvention
Le Bris, who signed a new contract with the club this summer, acknowledged the scale of the challenge facing newly promoted teams and praised the collaborative effort behind Sunderland’s recruitment drive.
“One of the main challenges when you get promoted like that is to strengthen the squad, and it’s not an easy task,” he said. “The investment, the way you work together to recruit so many new players, is a massive challenge. I think so far we are really good.”
Among the standout additions were Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra — both highly sought-after talents — and the marquee signing of Granit Xhaka, whose arrival from Arsenal was widely regarded as a major coup.
🧠 Strategic Backing and Long-Term Vision
Le Bris credited the club’s leadership for their ambition and strategic planning, noting the energy and cohesion behind the scenes.
“I’m thinking about the owner, the sporting direction, the recruitment structure and everyone who was involved in that process. It’s really impressive.”
Asked whether he anticipated such backing when he first took charge, Le Bris admitted he wasn’t sure — but emphasized his satisfaction with the club’s direction.
“I’m happy with the process, the energy of the club, the ambition, the desire to seize this opportunity. We know that to grow as a club in this league, it’s a tough challenge. It’s not linear… but right now, we can feel that we are well-organised and ambitious.”
⚽ Early Signs of Success
Sunderland’s revamped squad has already shown promise on the pitch, winning two of their first three Premier League matches and sitting fifth in the table ahead of their clash with Crystal Palace this weekend.
With a blend of experienced leaders and emerging stars, Le Bris now faces the task of translating potential into consistency — a process he’s clearly relishing.
“Obviously, you have to face new challenges and put into practice the quality of the squad. It’s a process. At the minute, I’m happy. After that, we’ll see throughout the season.”
🔮 What’s Next?
As Sunderland continue their Premier League campaign, the spotlight will remain on how quickly this new-look squad can gel and deliver results. But with Le Bris at the helm and the club backing him every step of the way, the Black Cats look more than ready to defy expectations — and perhaps even rewrite their top-flight story.