Sunderland have enjoyed a great start to the 2025/26 Premier League season under Regis Le Bris, and Ruben Amorim, Enzo Maresca and Unai Emery have all shown their appreciation for the manager and his team.
Promoted teams have not fared well in the Premier League over the last several years, but Le Bris’ side can avoid relegation this term.
After eight matches, the North East outfit sit 8th in the Premier League table, just two points adrift of second-place Manchester City.
Click to subscribe to the podcast
Sunderland now face Chelsea on Saturday, and Maresca, along with two more managers, have spoken out in support of Le Bris and Co.
Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ruben Amorim, Enzo Maresca and Unai Emery praise Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland
The Italian, along with Manchester United’s Amorim and Aston Villa’s Emery, have all praised the Frenchman’s team this season.
Maresca said: “I spent one season with Leicester in the Championship and I loved the Championship. Even if we play Premier League or Champions League, I always watch the Championship so I have watched Sunderland since last season when the new manager arrived.
“They are doing very good, not just from this season but last season as well. They play good football. They are quite strong, physically strong. I really like the way they are doing things.”
Amorim said: “It will be a tough match. It is a team that plays really well with a 4-3-3 and a lot of rotations. They know we are going to be under pressure.
“They have a clear identity and have a very good team and manager.”
Emery said: “They [Sunderland] are excited and motivated. I watched their documentary on Netflix about their recent history. They are so, so motivated.”
As well as Le Bris’ ability as a manager, Sunderland’s impressive 2025 summer transfer window has also been key to their early-season success in the top-flight.
Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Granit Xhaka praised for starring Sunderland role
After winning promotion in May, the Black Cats made 15 signings.
Among them was former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen star, Granit Xhaka.
Xhaka has been compared to Kevin De Bruyne following his return to England, while Enzo Le Fee has dubbed the Swiss star Sunderland’s most impactful transfer.
He said: “I think Granit, Granit Xhaka [has been the most impactful signing].
“Because he’s for me the best captain I had in my life in my career. Because he’s a really good player. So of course, but for me the captain role it’s not enough to be good on the pitch, and he’s [a] really good guy.
“He tries to take care about everybody. He tries to give us the best environment.
“He changed a lot of things here in Sunderland. So yeah, for me, I would say Granit.”
