Régis Le Bris snubbed for Premier League award despite historic Sunderland achievement | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris has missed out on the Premier League Manager of the Season award despite steering Sunderland to Europa League qualification.

The head coach was among six nominees, alongside Keith Andrews, Mikel Arteta, Michael Carrick, Pep Guardiola and Andoni Iraola. Reuters reported that Arteta was named Manager of the Year after guiding Arsenal to their first league title in 22 years.

Sunderland finished seventh and secured European football for the first time since 1973-74, just one year after promotion through the Championship play-offs. A dramatic final-day win over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light sealed a Europa League berth.

Le Bris consistently played down European talk, yet his side defied expectations and finished above Chelsea, Brentford and Brighton. Sunderland also became one of only a handful of newly promoted Premier League teams to qualify for Europe via their league position.

Arteta’s victory was no surprise given Arsenal’s title, but Le Bris’ shortlist place underlined his impact at the Stadium of Light. The Frenchman has swiftly become one of the league’s most admired coaches.

Sunderland now turn to a demanding 2026-27 across the Premier League and Europa League, plus the FA Cup and Carabao, with Le Bris stressing humility, hard work and continued improvement.

Source: Sunderland Echo