Régis Le Bris snubbed for Premier League award after historic Sunderland feat | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris missed out on Premier League Manager of the Season despite guiding Sunderland to historic Europa League qualification.

The head coach was among six nominees for the Barclays Manager of the Season award alongside Keith Andrews, Mikel Arteta, Michael Carrick, Pep Guardiola and Andoni Iraola. Reuters reports that Arsenal's Arteta was named Premier League Manager of the Year after leading the Gunners to their first league title in 22 years.

Le Bris oversaw one of the standout promoted-team campaigns of the Premier League era. Sunderland finished seventh and secured European football for the first time since 1973-74, only a year after winning promotion via the Championship play-offs.

A dramatic final-day win over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light sealed their Europa League place, completing a rise from League One to Europe in just four years.

Le Bris consistently played down talk of Europe, yet his side defied expectations to finish above Chelsea, Brentford and Brighton. They became one of the few newly promoted sides to reach Europe through league position.

Arteta's selection is no major shock given Arsenal's title, but Le Bris's nomination underlined his impact and he has quickly become one of the Premier League's most admired figures. Sunderland now prepare for a demanding 2026-27 across the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao, with Le Bris stressing humility, hard work and continued improvement.

Source: Sunderland Echo