Régis Le Bris on his conversation with Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Sunderland message ahead of Chelsea clash
Sunderland are back in Premier League action on Sunday when Chelsea visit the Stadium of Light
Régis Le Bris says he still has no doubt that the club's hierarchy is fully behind him despite the 2-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The Black Cats are enduring a difficult run of form and remain bottom of the Premier League table following last weekend's defeat to Coventry City.
Le Bris spoke to owner and executive chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, who has stepped up his day-to-day involvement recently following Tom Burwell's departure as interim CEO, on Friday morning. Le Bris said the pair reflected on the club's rise to the Europa League and the difficult moments that had been overcome on the way.
"We are all aligned, no doubt about that," Le Bris said. "No doubt from day one. We had difficult periods before and we spoke this morning with Kyril about the journey.
"So it was my first words in this press conference we always think about the last part when we achieved our goals. Wembley was beautiful but before we had difficult moments. The seventh position at the end of the season was beautiful but the season was long and we had difficult moments. You remember Port Vale? Me too! It was painful. Nottingham Forest, 4-0 down at home at half time. You can imagine the dressing room at half time. It's hard but it's part of the journey. At the end we can say it is beautiful. Right now we are in this period.
"So, we keep the memories and we stick together. Kyril agreed, we are aligned.
Le Bris said Louis-Dreyfus and director of football Florent Ghisolfi were frustrated with recent results but that the club remained united as they bid to turn it around, starting with Chelsea's visit to the Stadium of Light on Sunday morning.
"They're frustrated but they showed the way and it's really important in this period," he said.
"Because when it's easy we are all together, no problem. The fans, the people on social media, all together. When it's tough, it's different. It's the strength of the club at that moment, it's identity, it's foundations to see if it's solid or not. At the minute it is and that's really important."
Le Bris said he had held a ‘painful’ debrief with the players on Friday morning and had stressed the importance of sticking together.
“Obviously it's not a comfortable period and we don't like it but at the same time we have to show the way and keep the energy high,” he said.
“When I wake up in the morning I have this energy and I have to give it to the players. This morning was a bit painful once again but they are ready for the next fight. We have to keep the clarity with what we have to improve as a team because it's fair to say at the minute we are too exposed and concede too many goals and always have to race after the score.
“It's important also to back each other. We can't let the negativity creep in otherwise you kill the togetherness and creativity and energy. It's part of the journey and it's a strong reminder of our pillars and how we want to achieve our goals.”
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