Le Bris: ‘It’s important to create momentum’
Head coach Regis LE BRIS of Sunderland during the friendly match between Lens and Sunderland at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on August 8, 2026 in Lens, France. (Photo by Sandra Ruhaut/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Regis Le Bris broke down his thoughts on the upcoming season for Sunderland.
The Black Cats kicked off the 2025/26 campaign with an emphatic 3-0 triumph over the eventually relegated West Ham, and they avoided defeat at the Stadium of Light in the first half of the season.
A 2-1 win over Chelsea confirmed qualification for continental competition with a seventh spot finish that sealed a Europa League berth, and the club are back in Europe for the first time since the 1970s.
·‘We have to anticipate the best version of Ipswich’
They now begin the new campaign with a trip to another promoted outfit, Ipswich Town. Le Bris is all too aware of what his men could be walking into when they travel down to Portman Road for the weekend, and he wants his men to set the tone for the year with a strong showing this weekend.
“We’re excited – we are going into one of the most exciting seasons for Sunderland in 50 years. We’re back in Europe and competing in the Premier League , so we know it’s going to be challenging, but we earned it.
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“Ipswich experienced the Premier League two years ago and they will have learnt from it. It’s their first game at home as well, so it’s more or less Sunderland vs West Ham last season. We know what the game will be like, so we will be ready and it’s about us being strong in the competition.
“We have to anticipate the best version of Ipswich, and this is the challenge. They are a highly competitive team who press high with some very good players.
“It’s important to be Sunderland . We showed last season that when we were aligned with our identity and togetherness, we are good.
“When we come away from those key pillars, it is a strong reminder about the level of this league. It’s important to start the season well and create the momentum – we don’t want to set a limit.”