Sunderland team news update ahead of Brighton clash
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris continues to garner admiration from further afield
Former Chelsea star Salomon Kalou has suggested that Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris could be the ideal man to replace Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge in the event of the Italian leaving the Blues.
Speculation has started to mount over the 45-year-old’s future in West London after a relatively underwhelming run of results in December and recent comments from the man himself labelling the build-up to last week’s 2-0 win over Everton as the “worst 48 hours” of his tenure.
Speaking in a press conference, Maresca said: "The way the players want to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I praise them - because with so many problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week. Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst because many people didn't support us."
Pressed on what he meant, the former Leicester City boss added: "Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn't support me and the team." When asked if he meant people internally at Chelsea, he replied: "In general. In general," before clarifying when asked if it was aimed at fans or the media: "I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans."
And as uncertainty persists, Kalou has told The Sportzine that he believes Le Bris - alongside Coventry City chief and club legend Frank Lampard and Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola - would be perfect candidates to succeed Maresca, should he part company with Chelsea.
What did Salomon Kalou say about Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris?
Addressing Maresca’s situation, the Ivorian said: “It’s important to say Enzo Maresca has done a lot of good work at Chelsea, and the club will want stability. But if results don’t improve, naturally speculation will grow. My former teammate Frank Lampard is one name that stands out for me. He’s doing amazingly at Coventry right now, showing he’s learned from his previous experiences. He knows Chelsea inside out, he’s a club legend, and with more maturity and tactical growth, he could do well if given another chance.
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“Andoni Iraola is another coach who has impressed in the Premier League with his intensity and pressing style. He’s shown he can adapt quickly and get the best out of his players. Then there’s Regis Le Bris. He built his reputation at Lorient by developing young talent and playing progressive football, and now at Sunderland, he’s showing he can translate those ideas into a different environment. That combination of nurturing players and tactical innovation makes him an intriguing option for a club like Chelsea.”
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