Regis Le Bris faces questions from Sunderland board - 'They are not happy'
Regis Le Bris is facing question marks over his position as Sunderland manager after a dismal start to the Premier League season.
In normal circumstances, Le Bris would have more than enough credit in the bank to ease any concerns after leading his side to Europa League qualification last season.
However, following that achievment, senior officials at the Stadium of Light revealed that they had hoped for more and should be aiming higher, raising immediate red flags.
Former Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Le Bris is not expected to be sacked in the near future but there is a feeling that results must improve.
While Sunderland are still in the early stages of their campaign, there are concerns about their position, and Le Bris could be in the firing line if results do not take a positive turn.
Could Regis Le Bris be sacked by Sunderland?
Football Insider reported back in June that Le Bris was coming under pressure at Sunderland after the director of football dismissed praise for their high league finish.
Reports had emerged from the Stadium of Light suggesting that Sunderland wanted to see more from their side, despite what was an impressive season.
As a result, with this season's results not having been up to standard, there is a feeling that Le Bris could face questions from the Sunderland board in the near future.
"It's a very strange situation at Sunderland because you wouldn't expect Le Bris to be under pressure," Brown told Football Insider.
"He did an outstanding job last year, getting promoted and then going on to qualify for Europa League football, you can't ask for much more and that should have given him credit.
"But there were whispers coming out of Sunderland at the time that some of the higher-ups had expected more, they wanted to be more ambitious or whatever the line was.
"That put some doubt in my mind even at the time, and I have no doubt their stance will be the same now, they will be expecting Sunderland to continue at the top level.
"So with one win from seven Premier League games, the board are not going to be happy with that, and the blame obviously falls back on to the manager's position.
"They'll ignore the list of reasons that things haven't gone quite right, because the only thing that matters to them is results, and they won't be happy with Sunderland are not winning."
How can Le Bris ease pressure on his job?
Despite the mounting pressure on Le Bris' position at Sunderland, he may be in a strong position to ease those concerns thanks to his side's Europa League form.
The Black Cats have won both of their first two games on the continent, first at home against AZ Alkmaar and then in dramatic fashion with a late winner against Torreense.
Brown told Football Insider on 16 October that Sunderland's Europa League form could save Le Bris' job as it provides respite from their Premier League struggles.
Should Sunderland continue to impress in the Europa League, their domestic form can be ignored for now, although there is a feeling that they must improve.
The Europa League is already being eyed as an important avenue for Sunderland, and should their results continue, Le Bris can ease the pressure on his position.