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Sunderland are preparing to host Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday before welcoming Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday. However, despite returning to European football for the first time in 53 years, the club’s domestic struggles have left the team rooted to the bottom of the table with just one win and six defeats from nine matches.
Managerial Future and Dressing Room Concerns
Questions are being raised about the long-term future of manager Regis le Bris. According to BBC Sport, Le Bris’ job is not in immediate danger, and he will be given more time to reverse the team’s fortunes. The French manager, who took charge in July 2024, has credit in the bank from winning promotion and securing a European finish last season, alongside guiding the side to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Following a 3-1 defeat at Coventry City, captain Granit Xhaka questioned the team’s courage, coming weeks after France defender Nordi Mukiele claimed the side had become arrogant. Former Sunderland loan signing Nedum Onuoha told BBC Sport that while last season’s European qualification felt historic, doubts remain over whether Le Bris is the right long-term manager. French football expert Julien Laurens added that the situation is worrying and he does not see the manager finding solutions.
Statistical Reality and Squad Investment
Sunderland were lauded as one of the stories of last season after finishing seventh, but statistics suggest sustained success was always going to be difficult. Only relegated Burnley and Wolves had a lower Expected Goals difference than Sunderland during the previous campaign. With three-quarters of the season remaining, the club has time to save themselves, but they have scored only seven league goals—two from the penalty spot—and finished with 10 men in defeats against Arsenal, Bournemouth, and Coventry, while failing to score a first-half goal in seven of nine league games.
After spending £161m on 15 new players following promotion in the summer of 2025, Sunderland invested just £60m on five players this time around. While fans were glad to keep Xhaka and forward Brian Brobbey, Brobbey has yet to score since returning from a hamstring injury, and Xhaka admitted he does not know the exact problem with the team’s current mentality.
The European Factor and Growing Pains
Many attribute Sunderland’s struggles to the added demands of the Europa League, where they have started well with two wins and a draw from their first three league phase matches. Julien Laurens noted that European fixtures create a different dynamic with less time on the training pitch and potential distractions for players.
Addressing the situation, Regis le Bris described his squad as experiencing growing pains this season. He stated that the team is facing the most demanding challenge in the club’s history with the Premier League, Europa League, Carabao Cup, and upcoming FA Cup, calling it a new journey for a group that has been together for one year.
Sunderland have lost two and drawn one of their three Premier League games following European fixtures and will look to lift the mood against Dinamo Zagreb and Chelsea before the international break.
