Sunderland's season is at a crossroads. As the Black Cats prepare to host Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday, their domestic form has raised serious questions about manager Regis Le Bris. With just one win in nine Premier League games, Sunderland sit bottom of the table, and the pressure is mounting.
A Stark Contrast to Last Season
Last season, Sunderland were the surprise package of the Premier League, finishing seventh and securing a return to European football for the first time in 53 years. This term, however, tells a different story. The team has struggled for goals, creativity, and results, leaving fans and pundits alike searching for answers.
Captain Granit Xhaka has publicly questioned the team's courage, while defender Nordi Mukiele suggested the squad may have become arrogant. These comments reflect a growing unease within the camp.
Le Bris Under Scrutiny
Despite the poor start, BBC Sport understands that Le Bris' position is not immediately under threat. The Frenchman, who took charge in July 2024, has earned credit for winning promotion and guiding the club into Europe. However, former players and experts are beginning to doubt whether he is the right man for the long term.
"They ended last season quite well to get into Europe and that felt really historic," former Sunderland loanee Nedum Onuoha told BBC Sport. "But there was talk then that maybe he wasn't quite the guy. Sunderland fans who probably had their doubts last season, I really doubt that they will be thinking he is the manager long term."
French football expert Julien Laurens added: "This is not looking good. I look at Sunderland and I'm not seeing him find the solutions to turn things around. For me that is really worrying."
The European Distraction
Sunderland's Europa League campaign, which includes a trip to AC Milan in December, was supposed to be a reward for last season's success. Instead, it may be becoming a burden. The added fixtures and travel have disrupted preparations, and the team has struggled to balance domestic and European commitments.
"Europe is great," Laurens said. "Sunderland fans will be travelling to Milan, it's wonderful. It could be a distraction for the players - especially the ones who have never played in Europe before. It's less time to practise on the training pitch. You play Thursday-Sunday and that's a very different dynamic to what Sunderland had last season."
What's Gone Wrong?
Sunderland's problems are multifaceted. The team has scored just seven league goals, two of which were penalties, and have failed to find the net in the first half of seven of their nine games. They have also had three players sent off in defeats to Arsenal, Bournemouth, and Coventry.
In the summer, Sunderland invested £60m on five new players, a fraction of the £161m spent after promotion in 2025. While keeping key players like Xhaka and Brian Brobbey was seen as a coup, both have underperformed this season. Brobbey, who signed a new contract until 2031, has yet to score since returning from a hamstring injury, and Xhaka's form has dipped noticeably.
"They are the leaders and they are way below the levels they had," Laurens added. "The first one to pay the price [for the team's poor form] is usually the manager."
Second-Season Syndrome?
Some have pointed to the dreaded second-season syndrome, but the statistics suggest it is not a given. Of the 52 promoted sides that survived their first season before Sunderland and Leeds last year, only 11 were relegated the following campaign. With three-quarters of the season remaining, there is time to turn things around.
However, the signs are not encouraging. Sunderland's Expected Goals difference last season was better than only relegated Burnley and Wolves, indicating that their seventh-place finish may have been built on unsustainable foundations.
What Next?
A win against Dinamo Zagreb would provide a welcome distraction and a morale boost ahead of Sunday's crucial clash with Chelsea. But the bigger question remains: can Le Bris find the solutions to Sunderland's domestic woes? If not, the club's hierarchy may soon have a decision to make.
For now, Sunderland fans will be hoping that Thursday night under the lights at the Stadium of Light can spark a revival. Otherwise, it could be a long and unhappy international break.
