LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 25: Wilson Isidor of Sunderland celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on October 25, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Promoted teams are not supposed to perform as well as Sunderland.
Sitting fourth in the Premier League with an impressive 17 points to their name, it’s hard to think of a team in the division busting expectations as much as the Mackems.
Bookmakers made Sunderland favorites for relegation when the season began, given they’d only scraped up in the last minute of the playoff final against Sheffield United by the skin of their teeth.
It wasn’t just that the team had an unlikely promotion. The players themselves were largely untested at this level and had been hastily assembled after promotion.
What was first heralded as risky now, however, looks astute as former Watford captain Troy Deeney told the BBC.
“Most teams when they come up stick with the players that got them up but Sunderland were ruthless,” he said.
“They changed the goalkeeper and more or less every single player and said ‘we will try and stay up’, and to be second in this moment in time, not only will they have belief they can stay up but they’ll think, ‘do you reckon we can get in the top 10?’.
“If you said that a couple of months ago Sunderland fans would tell you you’re crazy.”
One man who most certainly didn’t think it was crazy was coach Regis le Bris.
Considered a totally unknown quantity when he was handed the job last seaso, he arrived in north east England having been relegated from Ligue 1 in France with Lorient.
But last weekend, he pioneered the most impressive result yet for the Black Cats; a 1-2 away victory against Chelsea.
“It’s been a good start to the season. It shows we are consistent, flexible,” he said modestly ahead of the game
“Chelsea are really strong, it’s a top-four team in the Premier League. They can play 60 games, they have depth, young and dynamic. It’s a good example for us. A big test.”
Victory might have come as a surprise to the English soccer-watching public but in the aftermath of the win Le Bris displayed the same cool-headed confidence he’d possessed beforehand.
“We built our identity through pre-season and before,” he explained afterwards.
“The togetherness, the ability to defend and suffer together. We struggled a bit to find the right balance in possession but we were good on the ball, found spaces and tried to press high when possible then in a deep block as in the middle they can punish you.
“We did well and I am really proud of the squad and staff, the starters and finishers because the substitutes were important again. We worked hard and played good football.”
The number of points racked up by Sunderland isn’t just good publicity for the coach, they represent vital stepping stones for doing what six teams in the past two seasons have failed to manage: stay in the division post-promotion.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 24: Regis Le Bris the head coach / manager of Sunderland celebrates with the trophy after gaining promotion to the Premier League after the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final match between Sheffield United and Sunderland at Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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As Michael Carrick told BBC Radio after the win at Chelsea this could be the start of something significant.
“Anyone who is honest enough will say that they never expected Sunderland to start this well, so full credit to them,” he said wryly.
“The amount of points they have accumulated already has given them an unbelievable start and that’s something they will want to build on.
“They looked quite comfortable and calm for long periods, but also looked dangerous. They just kept that belief to get the win.”
Given the lack of experience in Sunderland’s ranks, much of the responsibility for maintaining the form to ensure survival will fall on the enigmatic Le Bris.
He has already achieved significantly more than coaches with greater experience or reputations and is aided by the fervent backing of Black Cats’ passionate support.
“The fans love him,” explained BBC Radio Newcastle’s Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes.
“The results are the first things that win them over, so he has achieved that.
“But they also see that he is a genuinely nice guy with a nice demeanour about him. In public and in press conferences, he smiles, he can crack a joke, he’s very patient and I think people have responded to that.”
Given how little was known in England about Le Bris before he got the Sunderland job Barnes is one of the few who can shed a bit of light on a character whose achievements are already generating interest.
According to the commentator he’s something of a introvert who enjoys delving deep into the tactical side of the game.
“Regis is a bit shy, but he’s very personable and he has a wry sense of humour and he’s become a bit more comfortable in his own skin,” said Barnes.
“He is very, very focused. He seems to spend his life immersed in the job. He jokingly refers to being at his happiest in front of his laptop, watching matches.
“He purposely learnt English to come to this country to make a name for himself and you could argue he has done that.”
Undoubtedly, before this season ends, Le Bris will face some challenges that can’t be overcome with tactics boards or studying games on laptops.
How he responds will determine both Sunderland’s future in the division and his own.