Sunderland’s Le Bris Commends Players Following Unforeseeable Promotion Success

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris expressed that his team’s promotion to the Premier League was “impossible to foresee” after they secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the Championship playoff final.

In his inaugural season at the helm, Le Bris transformed a squad that finished 16th the previous year, guiding them back to the top tier following an eight-year hiatus.

Sunderland’s promotion was clinched in dramatic fashion when Tommy Watson netted a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, marking the 19-year-old’s final appearance before joining Brighton in the off-season.

The Black Cats found themselves behind after Tyrese Campbell’s first-half strike at Wembley on Saturday.

However, Eliezer Mayenda levelled the score with just 14 minutes remaining, setting the stage for Watson’s invaluable winner.

This remarkable turn of events unfolded in what is regarded as the most lucrative match in world football, with Sunderland’s promotion estimated to be worth £200 million in additional revenue.

“It was impossible to foresee. Last season Sunderland was extremely inconsistent, so my task was to instil a methodology to achieve this consistency,” Le Bris remarked.

A controversial VAR decision ruled out a goal for United that would have given them a two-goal cushion before half-time. Harrison Burrows’ effort was disallowed after it was determined that teammate Vini Sousa had obstructed goalkeeper Anthony Patterson’s view.

Sunderland capitalised on this reprieve, securing their return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017, thus ending a difficult period that involved four years in League One.

“We need skilled players and strong connections among them. I believe they truly deserve this,” said Le Bris, who was a surprising appointment at Sunderland last year after being relegated with French club Lorient.

“They collaborated exceptionally well. This match is a perfect example of the entire season.”

Le Bris expressed confidence in including Watson in his squad and bringing him on in the final moments despite his upcoming transfer to Brighton.

“It was clear to us and to him that he is still a Sunderland player, and the squad fully accepted this decision, recognising that he’s a valuable asset and can contribute,” he explained.

United had been at the top of the Championship until the end of March, but a late collapse allowed Burnley and Leeds to secure automatic promotion.

The Blades have now lost four Championship finals throughout their history and have been unsuccessful in 10 attempts to gain promotion through the second and third tier play-offs, leaving them with the most disappointing playoff record in English football. Boss Chris Wilder admitted that this latest setback will linger for months.

“It’s going to take quite some time to recover from this one,” he stated. “We’ll have to endure and navigate through the pain.”

“They’re experienced players, and they need to move past this if they want to have successful careers.”

Wilder voiced his frustration over the VAR decision that went against his team in the first half, adding: “I don’t believe the goalkeeper would have saved it. I don’t think he got anywhere near it.”