Granit Xhaka hails Sunderland fans and delivers glowing Régis Le Bris verdict ahead of Newcastle United clash
Granit Xhaka praises Sunderland’s fans and outlines his admiration for Régis Le Bris ahead of Sunday’s derby
Granit Xhaka has praised Sunderland’s supporters and delivered a glowing assessment of head coach Régis Le Bris as the club prepares for Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby against Newcastle United.
The Black Cats captain, speaking ahead of the Premier League showdown, outlined the culture that has driven Sunderland’s impressive return to the top flight and credited both the fans and Le Bris for shaping the club’s direction.
Xhaka, who has quickly become a central leader in a young Sunderland squad, said he sees his role as setting standards for others to follow. “I think the easiest way to show them is to be an example everywhere,” he said. “Of course, I have bad days myself as well. It's part of human being, I think. But if the young player wants to speak with me about anything, I'm very open. They expect me in different way. Then I really am like a person. I'm very open. I try to speak with everyone about many, many things. Not about football, about family and all these things. It just makes me proud to be part of this team.”
The midfielder also reflected on Sunderland’s strong start to the season, suggesting the club’s progress is the result of collective alignment rather than individual contributions. “I believe that alone you can't achieve anything. Not just in football, but in life,” he said. “So the club knew exactly what they are taking, who they are taking, who is fitting in this team. You need like a puzzle from the first until the last player, last staff member. And it's not just us players.
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“The staff is very important in my opinion as well. Because, of course, they are doing many, many things outside where people are not seeing. We are doing our job on the pitch. But the people outside part of football are very important. Just to have this mindset to go with us in this way, where the club has to be, wants to be. And things are going well. But we are still not there where the club has to be in a couple of years.”
A significant factor in Sunderland’s transformation has been the influence of Régis Le Bris, with Xhaka offering one of his most detailed endorsements yet of the head coach’s methods. “I think he is a freak about football in a positive way,” he said. “To be honest, he is very quiet. He knows exactly what he wants. What he says is exactly on point. He is not a coach who is very loud.
“He can be loud, but he is not like every day loud, loud, loud. But he is just a gentleman. He knows exactly when to speak, what to say, how to say, how you bring the information to the team. It is very important. He is a key for this team. He took this team in the Championship. He is taking it now in the Premier League. Results speaks for himself. I am very happy to be part of his coaching career as well.”
Xhaka reserved some of his strongest praise for Sunderland’s supporters, emphasising the connection between the players and the fanbase and the role that home atmosphere has played across the season. “Yes, I have been in many clubs in my career. I played in many stadiums in my career as well. I said it early in the season. I think our home, the home games, are top three in my career,” he said. “The atmosphere, the belief, how they are pushing us. Even, for example, Bournemouth turned it down. There was never quiet. They have the feeling as well from outside that they see a proper team on the pitch.”
He also reflected on how united the club feels compared to past experiences elsewhere. “To have this connection between the players and the fans, for me, is very important. I had it as well in other sides in 2019 when the fans are against someone, against the teams, against the coach. It doesn't help nobody, to be honest,” he said. “I am so happy that the fans are here. They are supporting us. Even if we have a bad half, we are losing or whatever, they are here. It is so important to stay together because we just came up. We have a totally new team. This team needs time. At the moment, I think it speaks for all the club that is going in a great direction.”