Sunderland's return to European football for the first time in over 50 years is being overshadowed by a concerning slump in their Premier League form, raising questions about manager Regis le Bris's long-term future.
Despite qualifying for the Europa League, a campaign that includes a trip to AC Milan in December, Sunderland find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. With only one win and six defeats from their opening nine games, the team's domestic struggles have led to doubts about the impact of European commitments.
Last season, Sunderland achieved a surprising seventh-place finish in the Premier League, a stark contrast to their current position. The club invested £161 million in 15 new players following their promotion in the summer of 2025. This season, the investment has been more modest, with £60 million spent on five players.
Key players like captain Granit Xhaka and forward Brian Brobbey, who was instrumental last season and also featured for the Netherlands at the World Cup, have seen their form dip. Brobbey has yet to score since returning from a hamstring injury, while Xhaka, a former Arsenal midfielder, expressed disappointment after the recent 3-1 defeat at Coventry City, questioning the team's "courage" and concentration.
French football expert Julien Laurens noted that the dip in form of key leaders like Xhaka and defender Nordi Mukiele, who contributed to 11 clean sheets last season, is particularly worrying. Laurens suggested that the manager is often the first to face repercussions for a team's poor performance.
Former Sunderland player Nedum Onuoha commented that while the European qualification was historic, some had doubts about le Bris's suitability even last season, and these doubts are likely amplified now. Le Bris, who has been in charge since July 2024, is Sunderland's longest-serving manager since Steve Bruce. He has credit for securing promotion and a European spot, and has also guided the team to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Crystal Palace.
Despite these successes, the club's hierarchy faces a decision if Sunderland remains in the bottom three of the Premier League, currently two points from safety. BBC Sport understands that le Bris's job is not in immediate jeopardy, and he has been granted more time to turn the team's fortunes around.