After a seventh-place finish last season, Sunderland prepares for its first European campaign since 1973 under manager Régis Le Bris.
Key facts
- •Sunderland finished seventh in the Premier League last season, exceeding statistical expectations based on XG metrics.
- •The club will compete in the Europa League for the first time since the 1973-74 Cup Winners’ Cup.
- •Kyril Louis-Dreyfus owns 64% of the club, while Juan Sartori holds the remaining 36%.
- •Thomas Meunier is the club's sole summer signing so far, with at least two more recruits expected before the window closes.
- •Seventeen-year-old academy scholar Tom Proctor was included in the first-team squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.
Sunderland enters the 2026-27 Premier League season following a seventh-place finish that secured qualification for the Europa League. Managed by Régis Le Bris, the club is navigating the challenges of balancing domestic league play with continental competition for the first time in over 50 years. Despite statistical concerns regarding expected goals (XG) last season, the team has retained its core squad and added experience as it looks to build on its recent upward trajectory.
By the numbers
Squad and Management
Captain Granit Xhaka remains with the club, having recommitted despite interest from Chelsea. The squad features high-profile players including Enzo Le Fée, Chris Rigg, and Brian Brobbey. The club has made one confirmed summer signing, 34-year-old Belgian international Thomas Meunier, who joined on a two-year contract from Lille. Manager Régis Le Bris, who holds a doctorate in physiology and biomechanics, continues to oversee the team alongside director of football Florent Ghisolfi.
Ownership and Commercial Strategy
The club is majority-owned by Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, who holds a 64% stake, with the remaining 36% held by Juan Sartori. Off-field operations are undergoing a shift toward international commercial growth, including a potential sponsorship deal with Visit Ghana. While the club's ownership has gained fan trust, recent changes to membership schemes and increased corporate hospitality have caused some polarization among season-ticket holders.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian Football.
