Sunderland announced Regis Le Bris’ contract renewal earlier this week
Former Sunderland defender Danny Collins has welcomed the club’s decision to extend head coach Regis Le Bris’ contract ahead of their long-awaited return to the Premier League.
Earlier this week, the Black Cats announced that the Frenchman had signed a new contract that will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2028, with the 49-year-old rewarded after a spectacular debut season in England that resulted in promotion from the Championship.
And, despite some challenging spells last season, Collins believes Sunderland made the right decision in awarding Le Bris a longer contract.
What has Danny Collins said regarding Regis Le Bris’ contract renewal with Sunderland
Collins told Sky Sports News: “Obviously for himself, fantastic.” If you look at his trip into the club last season, when we tailed off and finished 16th, and for him to come in and pick up the squad – with the guys we had, and maybe one or two additions, obviously, with Enzo Le Fée coming on loan as well – what a job he’d done.
“We started the season on a high note, finishing first in the table after four or five games, and we remained in the top four throughout the season. Obviously, we dropped off; I believe we lost the last five coming into the play-offs, so there’s going to be a lot of concern about how you’re going to fair, but we came through against Coventry, and obviously at Wembley against Sheffield United, so he’s done an excellent job. It will undoubtedly be a difficult test for him as we move into the Premier League, but he will feel that he has earned that deal, and credit to the club for supporting him.”
Collins also looked on Sunderland’s transfer dealings thus far, praising the Black Cats for signing experienced midfielder Granit Xhaka, who made his debut in red and white against Real Betis over the weekend.
Collins stated: “They’ve made some solid moves in the transfer market so far, mixed with some good, talented young players with some experience, like as Granit Xhaka coming in and Reinildo Mandava coming in from Atletico [Madrid]. However, I believe the business is not yet complete. I still believe we need three or four before the season begins to construct a group capable of competing in the Premier League. And clearly, the goal this season, at least for myself, and I’m sure Sunderland fans will agree, is to finish 17th or higher.
“I believe many people would have been startled [by Xhaka’s appearance]. I believe you can see where his career has taken him in recent years, first at Arsenal for a few seasons, then to [Bayer] Leverkusen, where he won the league two seasons ago…
“[It’s] a significant commitment from himself, first and foremost. I didn’t see the game over the weekend, but by all accounts, he put in a good performance and wore the armband, so we’ll have to wait and see if he’ll be the club captain going ahead. He’s a great addition to the team, and with his experience – he’s 32 now – he still has some excellent years ahead of him. But, as I already stated, the outstanding young players in the squad, along with some experience along the team’s core, will undoubtedly help us move forward.”
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