Why Sunderland and Régis Le Bris are struggling in the Premier League

Sunderland’s poor start to the Premier League season has put pressure on manager Régis Le Bris, with the club bottom after nine games and questions growing over whether their return to European football is affecting domestic form.

Sunderland have one league win, six defeats and five points. They have scored seven goals, three of them in a 5-3 loss at Manchester City, and failed to score in the first half in seven matches. They have also had a player sent off in three defeats.

The team finished seventh last season after promotion, but their underlying numbers were less impressive: only relegated Burnley and Wolves had a worse expected-goals difference. The BBC notes that second-season struggles are not inevitable: 11 of the previous 52 promoted teams to survive their first Premier League season were relegated the next year.

Le Bris’s position is not said to be in immediate danger. The BBC reports that he is expected to be given more time. He has led Sunderland since July 2024, overseeing their promotion and return to Europe for the first time in 53 years.

The extra fixtures may be a factor, but do not explain the whole picture. Sunderland have won two and drawn one of their first three Europa League matches, while losing two and drawing one of their three league games played after European fixtures. French football expert Julien Laurens said European competition could leave less time for training and create a new rhythm for players unused to it.

There are also concerns about performances and confidence. After Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Coventry, captain Granit Xhaka said the team needed to show more “courage”. Defender Nordi Mukiele had earlier described the side as “arrogant”. Laurens said Xhaka and Mukiele were below last season’s level, while former Sunderland player Nedum Onuoha said the team did not appear to be heading in the right direction.

Sunderland spent £60m on five players in the summer, compared with £161m on 15 signings after promotion in 2025. They retained Xhaka and striker Brian Brobbey, who has yet to score since returning from a hamstring injury. Brobbey is under contract until 2031.

Sunderland are two points from safety, with a Europa League match against Dinamo Zagreb next and Chelsea visiting on Sunday. Their strong start in Europe contrasts with their domestic run, but the immediate test for Le Bris is whether the team can turn its league form around.