"I’ll need something else" - Regis Le Bris speaks out on Sunderland AFC job | OneFootball

Le Bris may not remain at the Stadium of Light for too long if things always stay the same.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has warned that he will need to be "fed new elements" if he is to commit to a long-term project at the Stadium of Light.

Speaking to The Sun following a strong start to the 2024/25 season with the Black Cats, Le Bris has cast doubt that he will be in the north east for a number of years, explaining that he needs a fluid system to keep things fresh and his mind on the job.

Having endured a fairly mixed 2023/24 campaign, the Wearside outfit would have been keen to make progress during the early stages of the season under Le Bris, who was only appointed in the summer after his exit from Lorient.

However, Le Bris had the opportunity to work with the team during the pre-season period, and that has seemingly paid dividends.

Currently sitting at the top of the table, Le Bris' faith in youth and the addition of Wilson Isidor has been key to the club's success, with the latter proving to be the striker that the Black Cats were missing last season.

Form wasn't the best prior to the international break however, drawing three matches in a row that they would have wanted to win, against Queens Park Rangers, Preston North End and Coventry City.

But, they are still at the top of the table at this point and will be looking to make a strong start to their upcoming set of games after the international break.

Considering how young their team is, with Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg still teenagers, they are only likely to get better, but it remains to be seen whether this inexperience will end up being disadvantageous for them in the short term.

They also need to be wary of potential interest in their manager and most promising players. Their success is probably being noticed by top-tier teams across Europe and the likes of Bellingham and Rigg have been linked with a move away from the SoL in recent months.

Regis Le Bris makes admission on Sunderland future

Le Bris has revealed that he's happy to commit to a long-term project, as long as he's being "fed new elements", with the Frenchman sending a message to the Black Cats' board with that quote.

On this subject and moving to England, he told The Sun: "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.

"I have visited many football clubs in Spain and England so was aware of the environment and really liked it."

Sunderland AFC board could play a big part in keeping Regis Le Bris

The Sunderland hierarchy, including owner Kyril-Louis Dreyfus, may need to do a couple of key things to keep Le Bris at the Stadium of Light for a number of years.

Firstly, they have to try and keep their best players for a decent amount of time.

Bellingham and Rigg are likely to play at the highest level in the future if they can continue to develop well - and keeping them could persuade Le Bris to remain at the club and continue working with these exciting players.

Le Bris also needs backing in the transfer market - because you feel they could benefit from some extra quality if they are to give themselves the best chance of winning promotion.

That backing could come if the Black Cats are still in the top two when January comes along, and considering they're likely to have Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United breathing down their necks, that extra depth could be needed to help Sunderland get back to the promised land.