Regis Le Bris and Sunderland can jump up to second place in the Premier League table with a win over Everton on Monday night, underlining the incredible job that the French head coach has done since taking over. The 49-year-old headed to the Stadium of Light in June of last year, having mutually parted ways with Lorient following their relegation to Ligue 2.

Having signed a three-year deal, to some intrigue with few supporters aware of his brief time in coaching up until this point, Le Bris guided Sunderland to promotion and took them to the top flight after an eight-year absence.

Le Bris largely focused on youth coaching until he obtained a professional coaching licence in May 2022, 16 years before his doctorate in sport physiology and biomechanics from Rennes 2 University.

He presented a study on accelerometer-based running as his thesis, having graduated with a diplome universitaire (DU) in the mental training of high-level athletes from the same university in 2010.

But it was Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger who indirectly convinced him to become a coach, while at Monaco.

“I really liked Monaco under Arsene Wenger,” Le...