Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has found himself at the centre of unexpected speculation in recent weeks.

Former Sunderland defender Alan Hutton has reacted to speculative reports linking Regis Le Bris with a potential exit from the club, suggesting that the rumours are “quite harsh”.

Despite guiding the Black Cats to promotion last season, and comfortably securing their survival in the top flight this term, reports have emerged online suggesting that Sunderland could look to replace Le Bris if he fails to wrap up European qualification over the coming weeks.

To that end, however, there has been no indication from within the club that the 50-year-old’s position is under immediate threat, and sources have confirmed to The Echo that his job is not in jeopardy.

What has Alan Hutton said about Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris?

And speaking exclusively to The Echo, courtesy of Spreadex Sports, Hutton has argued that Le Bris has done more than enough to retain his position at the Stadium of Light. When asked whether the Frenchman should be worried for his job in the North East, the former full-back responded: “I think as a manager in this day and age, you're always nervous about what's around the corner. But I think he's done a great job up until now.

“You think, getting promotion into the Premier League, that's not easy. The turnover in players, what was it, something like 14 players at the start of the season, £150 million spent? A lot of youth and experience in there as well. So to be sitting where they are at this moment in time, 12th in the league, I think they should be very happy with the outcome. It's about stabilising the club again back in the Premier League.

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“So I think he deserves that opportunity to go and prove himself. Because a lot of these players, with the experience that they've had over this year, I think will do better next if you add to it. I think he deserves that time and opportunity to go again next season. So I think those rumours are quite harsh, to be honest.”

Meanwhile, Le Bris has been nominated for the Premier League’s Manager of the Season award alongside Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Brentford’s Keith Andrews, and Manchester United’s Michael Carrick.

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