The advice Granit Xhaka sought from Régis Le Bris and the Sunderland head coach’s response | OneFootball

Granit Xhaka has sought Régis Le Bris’s guidance for a future in management, reflecting an effective partnership at Sunderland this season. Le Bris says a head coach must be authentic and never too high or too low.

“He’s very special. The first call that I had with him, it was exactly what I was hoping he is. He’s a football freak in a positive way. He looks very deep, the details, as well with the ball, without the ball. I call him like a second Arsène Wenger. I went to him already about the mindset, how he can be so — not relaxed — but very calm, so you don’t see him screaming. He’s always under control and this is maybe for my future. He gives me some advice which is very helpful,” he told The Times earlier this year.

Le Bris says leading from the front suits Xhaka, whose standards lift team and staff. He calls it a privilege to coach him and says a manager must stay even but true to themselves, adding there is no rush on when Xhaka might move into management.

He admits he lost his temper when younger and learned from it. Now he speaks intensely only when needed, at half-time or after games once or twice this season, because the manager’s balance shapes everyone.

Le Bris also joked he has to balance Xhaka out. He believes the midfielder’s vocal leadership and work rate have underpinned Sunderland’s progress this season and into the future.

Source: Sunderland Echo