Regis le Bris' 'long term project' goal Sunderland diehards will love
Regis Le Bris has dropped a hint that his long-term future could be at Sunderland. The Frenchman has exceeded expectations in the first few months of this season and has taken the Black Cats to the summit of the Championship.
His appointment was a gamble in the summer because he had overseen Lorient’s relegation from Ligue 1 the season prior and was unknown in this country. Despite the club selling Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town, Le Bris has helped galvanise the playing style and the mood among supporters, setting the bar high so far.
Le Bris recently gave an in-depth interview with The Sun, speaking on a number of subjects, even giving a potential hint towards his long-term future at Sunderland.
The 48-year-old signed a three-year contract during the summer with the sense that the hierarchy had finally made a longer-term appointment. Le Bris explained how he likes the challenges of long-term projects, but that he constantly needs “something else to grow.”
In the interview he said: “I wanted to discover new cultures, environments and languages. I’m just curious and, when I’m in the same environment for a long time, I like working on a long project but need to be fed new elements to learn.
“If it all just stays the same, then I’ll need something else to grow, keep the energy and connect with other people. It was a whole new experience and I was aware that it would be different – but I liked that difference and was prepared for that.”
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Le Bris revealed he had visited other clubs too and added: “He said: “I have visited many football clubs in Spain and England so was aware of the environment and really liked it. Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Everton, Leeds, Chelsea, Arsenal and probably two or three more. I’m like that, I’m curious about new ideas, behaviours and thinking about football.”
Le Bris remains ambitious and it’s clear he would like to test his credentials in the Premier League in time – and having endeared himself quickly to supporters and embraced the way of life on Wearside, he will hope that is with Sunderland.
His next challenge is this weekend at Millwall, when Sunderland will be without Jobe Bellingham, Trai Hume and Patrick Roberts through suspension and there are a couple of injury concerns too.