Ex-Sunderland chief says they could turn to former Tottenham boss if they sack Le Bris

Sunderland are finding out just how quickly the mood can change in the Premier League.

Le Bris delivered European qualification by guiding Sunderland to seventh last season, now the Black Cats are bottom, and the questions around his future are getting louder.

REUTERS/David Klein

Their opening nine league games have produced five points, with a home victory over Fulham in August still their only win.

Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Coventry made it seven league matches without another victory, and Sunderland have scored just seven goals and conceded 17, leaving problems to solve at both ends.

The recent shortage of goals is worrying.

Before finding the net at Coventry, they had failed to score against Brighton, Bournemouth and Leeds, and that is a tough backdrop for any manager, even one who has already given supporters so much to celebrate.

There is another side to the story, though.

Sunderland have beaten AZ Alkmaar and Torreense in Europe and taken a point against Lech Poznan. They have also reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after wins over Hull and Brentford, with Crystal Palace awaiting in the next round.

Those results offer evidence that Le Bris can still get performances from this group, but turning that promise into Premier League points is the urgent job.

Injuries and suspensions have complicated his work, with Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey among the players whose availability has caused problems.

Reuters/Lee Smith

The message from the hierarchy remains supportive, as Sky Sports report that Sunderland still have faith in Le Bris and believe he can produce a turnaround.

Thursday’s home game against Dinamo Zagreb comes before Chelsea visit on Sunday, and two fixtures at the Stadium of Light give him a chance to lift spirits before the international break.

For now, Sunderland are backing their manager to find answers, with plenty still riding on what happens next.

Thomas Frank tipped for Sunderland job if Regis Le Bris is sacked

Former Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown believes Thomas Frank could become an option if that position changes.

“If Sunderland do make a change then the next question is about where they’re going to look,” Brown told Football Insider.

“It’s not as simple as just saying ‘yeah, let’s change the manager’, because you have to be sure that whoever comes in next is going to make the positive difference that you want.

“There’s no point making a change of manager, and then you’re still struggling on the pitch, and that’s a risk every club has to take.

“Thomas Frank, for example, is somebody who is available, and I’m sure will be very much on Sunderland’s radar if they do decide to make a change.

“He’s out of work at the moment and looking to get back into the job by all accounts, so I’m sure taking over at Sunderland would be something that appeals to him.

“I’d have my doubts after his time at Tottenham, but he is still held in very high regard for what he did at Brentford, and that will be the case at Sunderland I’m sure.

“But there are other managers who they could target as well if they do decide to make a change, so it depends where he ranks on their list.

“For now, it seems like they want to stick with Le Bris, because are any of the options available going to do a better job than him? It would be difficult, that’s for sure.”

Frank has been out of work since his sacking from Spurs, where he recorded a win rate of just 34 per cent, but his record on a shoe-string budget at Brentford still deserves due credit.

Since he’s been unemployed, the Dane has also attracted interest from the likes of Crystal Palace.