The [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland)’ coaching staff were shuffled around when former first-team coach Mike Dodds left in February to take charge of Wycombe Wanderers.
Rather than appoint a new figure at that stage, when Sunderland were still involved in the fight for automatic promotion, Le Bris and Kristjaan Speakman opted to stick with the existing members of the backroom team.
Assistant head coach Pedro Ribeiro assumed extra responsibilities relating to opposition analysis, while head of goalkeeping Alessandro Barcherini began to spend more time working with the whole of the first-team group rather than just the goalkeeping department. Tom Weal was brought in from Carlisle United to work as first-team goalkeeping coach.
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The reshuffle clearly worked as the Black Cats went on to win promotion via the play-offs, but the Premier League will present new challenges and at least new appointment is anticipated to add some depth, and potentially experience, to Le Bris’ senior group.
“We did some work towards the back end of the season on that (the backroom set-up) and we all felt that it wasn't really the right time to make significant change,” said Speakman, who will be heavily involved in the forthcoming recruitment process in his role as sporting director. “But it did leave us a little bit light.
“I think it's testament to those members of staff, how hard they worked to fill the gaps and ensure we had a winning team.
“In the aftermath of success, I get to speak and Regis gets to speak, but it's really important that a spotlight is shone on those that don't who played an integral part in our success. There was some outstanding work done behind the scenes.
“But specifically around the coaching team, yeah, it's an area we need to ensure that we are fit for the Premier League. And as with the playing squad, that's different to what it looks like in the Championship.”
It is anticipated that any new appointment will be made before the start of the season, with Sunderland’s players due to return to the Academy of Light for the start of pre-season training at the beginning of next month.