Sunderland could SACK Regis Le Bris if Black Cats miss out on Europe

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris on the sideline looking tired. — Regis Le Bris' job is reportedly under threat despite his vast over-performance with Sunderland this season. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Regis Le Bris’ job could be under threat if he is unable to secure qualification to European football this season with the Black Cats.

The Sunderland boss defied the odds by leading his side to the Premier League, winning the 2024/25 play-offs in matches against Coventry, who recently gained promotion themselves, and Sheffield United.

Sunderland could consider a managerial change if Le Bris fails to qualify for Europe

Sunderland fans cheering after their team won the Championship play-off final winners at Wembley. — Sunderland defied the odds by staging two dramatic comebacks in the 2024-25 play-offs. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Despite Le Bris’ instrumental role in securing promotion to the Premier League with Sunderland, his job is by no means safe if the Black Cats fail to qualify for Europe.

According to a report from talkSPORT, a change in the dugout cannot be ruled out and will be decided based on how strongly Sunderland end the season, with just four points separating them from a place in the Top Six.

Brian Brobbey of Sunderland reacts in frustration during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Brighton. — Sunderland didn't lose a Premier League match at home until mid February - two more losses have followed since with Brighton being the most recent. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Sunderland, currently placed 11th, didn’t suffer their first defeat at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League season until mid February.

That loss was handed to them by Arne Slot’s Liverpool, with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk combining for the game’s only goal - a similar story to last weekend’s Merseyside derby.

Since then, the Black Cats have gained ten points from their last seven Premier League games, suffering two more home defeats to Fulham and Brighton.

They are just four points removed from the latter side, who sit in sixth in the Premier League table, and only two points from Chelsea in seventh.

If Sunderland cannot close the gap, Le Bris’ could end up as the season’s most unexpected casualty, losing his job despite a vast over-performance at Sunderland.

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris looking calm during a football match. — Regis Le Bris could become the most unlikely casualty of the Premier League season, with his job under threat if Sunderland fail to qualify for European football. (Image credit: Getty Images)

If the rumours are true, Le Bris could have the opportunity to decide his own fate, with Sunderland facing off against Chelsea in their final game of the Premier League season.

It is also still possible that the Premier League’s top nine teams could qualify for European football next season, depending on various factors.

Sunderland return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest at the Stadium of Light on Friday evening.

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Kedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC, he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television, you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.

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