Régis Le Bris meets Sunderland supporters as former fan-favourite spotted after Stoke City move

Sunderland’s new head coach Régis Le Bris has met fans for the first time following his appointment earlier this month.

The 48-year-old former FC Lorient manager was installed as Sunderland’s in June, signing a three-year deal at the Academy of Light.

After a long summer search, Sunderland eventually landed on the former Lorient man, who stated that he was “honoured” to have taken the job after the move was announced.

Le Bris, who starts work at the beginning of July ahead of pre-season, met Sunderland fans for the first time at the opening of the club’s new store.

The new-look store opened its doors last Friday at 8am with supporters arriving three hours early to secure Sunderland’s new home shirt for the 2024-25 season. Owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus was on-site throughout the day and was joined by Le Bris and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman.

The trio posed for photos with supporters with Louis-Dreyfus also delivering a short interview praising fans to the club’s in-house media, also handing out refreshments to Sunderland fans queuing up to secure the new home shirt.

Former Sunderland fan-favourite Lynden Gooch was also spotted on Wearside over the weekend paying a visit to the club’s new shop with his family. The Stoke City man still enjoys a strong relationship with the city and its people having enjoyed a 20-year association with the club since moving to Sunderland from America as a child.

The 28-year-old defender joined Stoke City from Sunderland during last summer’s transfer window and played 29 times in the Championship as the Potters avoided relegation from the second-tier under Steven Schumacher.