Today, Regis Le Bris officially begins work as Sunderland head coach as the players all return for pre-season preparations. Meanwhile, work off the pitch continues, with perhaps our deal of the summer being close to completion.
RIGG TO SIGN DEAL AT SAFC
Thankfully, according to Fabrizio Romano, Chris Rigg is set to sign a three year deal with Sunderland, keeping him here until 2027. It’s no secret Premier League clubs have been in his ear, but it looks like he’s favouring us and the promise of guaranteed minutes in the seasons to come. Initially, it was thought that Rigg was delaying his decision until we brought in a head coach, and with Regis Le Bris now here Rigg has given us his vote of confidence by agreeing to stay.
It could be a bit premature, but keeping a talent such as Rigg could prove to be one of our deals of the summer. It also adds to what has been a positive start to the transfer window, with us bringing in some experience, and keeping a key player. It is only a start though, more is needed and hopefully it will soon follow.
ACADEMY SIGNS NEW TALENT
The academy have announced the signing of three new lads today, Ivan Struk, Bayley Hester and Marcus Neill to the scholarship programme. Struk was here near the start of 2023-24, initially on trial and then via a pre-registration agreement with Chelsea. Hester signed on a pre-registration agreement from Southampton in January whilst Neill joins from Liverpool.
LORIENT PRESIDENT DOESN'T BLAME REGIS
The president of Lorient, Loic Fery, has taken the responsibility for Lorient's relegation, and not blamed our new gaffer Regis Le Bris.
CLUB DIDN'T OPERATE RIGHT
“We had the eighth-largest budget in Ligue 1 and we spent €60 million on player acquisitions over the last three transfer windows. As chairman and owner, I take primary responsibility for that. In fifteen years at FC Lorient, I’ve never chosen the players. I validate choices and I take responsibility for them. You’d never know it if all you had to do was put money into a football club to make it work. I don’t think it was beneficial to the way the club operates. I accept my responsibility."
MISSING KEY POSITIONS ON BOARD
“What I wouldn’t do again is abolish the post of general manager and put the responsibility for recruitment, as well as responsibility for the first team, on the coach. I don’t think the club listened closely enough to the group because there was no longer a safety valve. The positions of sporting director and general manager have disappeared over the last two years.”
FORMER TARGET REFUSES CONTRACT
Recently, we had been linked with West Ham youngster Divin Mubama with his contract expiring. West Ham had confirmed they gave him a contract offer, but it has now been revealed that Mubama has left the London side and is now a free agent. We aren't the only club after the striker though, as teams in the Premier League, Championship and teams abroad are all thought to be keen on him. If we do bring him in, let's hope he's here as a future option, rather than an instant starting number nine, as we have seen this season how that goes.
