Florent Ghisolfi explains José Fonte appointment to Régis Le Bris's staff | OneFootball

Sunderland have confirmed José Fonte will join the first-team coaching group.

Director of football Florent Ghisolfi said Fonte’s top-level experience would benefit the club as they compete in Europe for the first time in over 50 years, highlighting his leadership and energy and expressing confidence that those qualities will add value to a staff performing exceptionally under Régis Le Bris as they look to push on in the Premier League and in Europe.

The former Southampton defender, a Ligue 1 winner with Lille, ended his playing career earlier this year and will now bring that experience to Wearside.

He will start on 20 July, shortly after Sunderland open pre-season at York City and before their tour of the USA.

Sunderland have been reshaping the coaching team following the exits of Pedro Ribeiro and Luciano Vulcano over the past 12 months.

As it stands, Fonte will work alongside long-serving coaches Michael Proctor and Alessandro Barcherini, goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler, Chief Analyst Isidre Ramón Madir and set-piece coach James Brayne.

Source: Sunderland Echo