Régis Le Bris was among the nominees after guiding Sunderland to seventh in the Premier League
The Sunderland head coach was among the six nominees for the Barclays Manager of the Season award after a remarkable first campaign in the Premier League. Le Bris was shortlisted alongside Keith Andrews, Mikel Arteta, Michael Carrick, Pep Guardiola and Andoni Iraola.
However, Arsenal boss Arteta was given the nod after leading the Gunners to the Premier League title. Reuters reported that Arteta was named Premier League Manager of the Year after guiding Arsenal to their first league title in 22 years.
Le Bris can count himself unfortunate after overseeing one of the most impressive promoted-team seasons of the Premier League era. Sunderland finished seventh in the table and secured European football for the first time since 1973-74, just one year after winning promotion through the Championship play-offs. The Black Cats sealed their place in the Europa League with a dramatic final-day win over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light, completing a remarkable rise from League One to Europe in just four years.
Le Bris repeatedly played down talk of Europe during the season, but his side continued to defy expectations and finished above clubs including Chelsea, Brentford and Brighton. Sunderland also became one of only a handful of newly promoted Premier League sides to qualify for Europe through their league position.
The award going to Arteta is no great shock given Arsenal’s title success, but Le Bris’ nomination underlined the scale of his impact at the Stadium of Light. The Frenchman has quickly become one of the most admired figures in the Premier League after transforming Sunderland’s prospects and helping establish the club back in the top flight.
Sunderland will now prepare for a demanding 2026-27 campaign that includes Premier League and Europa League football alongside campaigns in the FA Cup and Carabao, with Le Bris already stressing the need for humility, hard work and continued improvement.
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