REGIS LE BRIS: THE 40.79% WIN RATE THAT HAS SUNDERLAND DREAMING OF EUROPE
Regis Le Bris has taken Sunderland to 11th in the Premier League. See how his 40.79% win rate compares to Guardiola and Arteta.
Regis Le Bris is a huge hit on Wearside, and it’s not hard to see why. Sunderland have been on quite a ride since he took over. After years bouncing around the lower leagues, the Black Cats fought their way through the Championship play-offs last season and clawed back into the Premier League for the first time since 2017. That was a wild stretch—at their lowest, they’d even dropped to eighth in League One. But now, they’re holding their own in the top flight, sitting 11th in the table and comfortably clear of the relegation zone, even after losing 3-1 at West Ham over the weekend.
None of this happens without Le Bris. Since arriving from Lorient in the summer of 2024, he’s injected a bit of belief and stability, quickly pushing Sunderland up the standings. Fans have taken to him in a big way—he’s easily one of the most popular managers the club’s had in a while. But how does his record stack up against the other Premier League bosses?
Here’s how the current managers’ win rates compare:
Michael Carrick, Man Utd – 100% (2/2)
Liam Rosenior, Chelsea – 80% (4/5)
Pep Guardiola, Man City – 70.25% (399/568)
Arne Slot, Liverpool – 61.11% (55/90)
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal – 60% (195/325)
Unai Emery, Aston Villa – 56.40% (97/172)
Daniel Farke, Leeds United – 52.71% (68/129)
Eddie Howe, Newcastle United – 50% (104/208)
Keith Andrews, Brentford – 46.63% (13/28)
Scott Parker, Burnley – 46.05% (35/76)
Marco Silva, Fulham – 44.34% (94/212)
Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton – 43.06% (31/72)
Sean Dyche, Nottingham Forest – 42.86% (9/21)
Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace – 42.27% (41/97)
Regis Le Bris, Sunderland – 40.79% (31/76)
David Moyes, Everton – 39.13% (18/46)
Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth – 36.61% (41/112)
Thomas Frank, Tottenham – 35.29% (12/34)
Nuno Espirito Santo, West Ham – 26.32% (5/19)
Rob Edwards, Wolves – 15.38% (2/13)
At first glance, Le Bris’ 40.79% win rate isn’t much to shout about. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Sunderland’s survival in the Premier League has come from a rock-solid defence and a knack for grinding out results. Only the top four teams have lost fewer games—they’ve only been beaten six times.
It’s true; those tight matches have turned into nine draws and just eight wins. Without those draws, Sunderland would be down in 17th and fighting to stay up. Draws don’t boost Le Bris’ win rate, but they’ve been vital to keeping the team safe. When you look back at his time in the Championship, Le Bris’ win rate jumps to 45.65%—good enough to put him 11th on this list, ahead of well-liked names like Marco Silva and Fabian Hurzeler. He also recently picked up his first cup win as Sunderland boss, squeezing past Everton in the FA Cup on penalties. Of course, that still goes down as a draw on the stats sheet, but it got them through.
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HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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