Sunderland are considering changes to Régis Le Bris’ coaching structure as the season draws to a close

Sunderland are considering several changes to their coaching staff as the season draws to a close, The Echo understands.

The Black Cats are currently in discussions with former Middlesbrough and Hartlepool United goalkeeper Pete Jameson, 33, over a potential move to the Academy of Light. Nothing has been finalised at this stage, but talks are ongoing over the possibility of Jameson joining Sunderland’s academy coaching ranks.

The current Gateshead player-coach would be expected to work primarily with Sunderland’s young goalkeepers, with a focus on the club’s U18s and U21s, as the Black Cats look to strengthen their shot-stopping department below first-team level. If completed, Jameson’s arrival could also have an impact further up the structure.

Jonny Maddison, who has worked within Sunderland’s academy set-up and was previously part of Leicester City’s Premier League title-winning squad, could potentially move up to join Régis Le Bris’ senior staff as a first-team goalkeeper coach. Indeed, Maddison was involved with the first-team set-up at the Stadium of Light before the recent Manchester United game, underlining that some crossover has already taken place.

Maddison would work under current lead goalkeeping coach, Neil Cutler, who joined Sunderland last summer and is extremely well regarded within the club. Sporting director Florent Ghisolfi is understood to be keen to add further numbers and expertise to the goalkeeping department, building greater depth across the coaching structure from academy level through to the first team.

Sunderland’s former goalkeeping lead, Alessandro Barcherini, remains at the club but has moved into a broader assistant coach and first-team coach role under Le Bris. Barcherini was appointed interim assistant coach last season before transitioning into the role on a more permanent basis, with his work now focused more heavily on Sunderland’s defensive unit and individual player development plans.

Jameson would bring considerable playing experience if Sunderland were able to complete a deal. Born in Sunderland, he came through Middlesbrough’s youth system and later played in non-league football with Consett and Sunderland RCA before joining Darlington in 2013. He made more than 130 appearances for Darlington across league and cup competitions before later spells with Blyth Spartans, York City, Harrogate Town and Hartlepool United.

Jameson spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Hartlepool United from Harrogate Town, making 21 appearances before being released by his parent club at the end of that campaign. He returned to Darlington in the summer of 2024 and later joined Gateshead as a player-coach in July 2025. Jameson subsequently had further spells back with Darlington, first on a season-long loan with a recall clause and then on an emergency loan earlier this year.

As ever, Sunderland’s academy goalkeeping department remains an interesting area heading into the summer. Matty Young is on the verge of signing a new deal after impressing on loan at Salford City, while Ben Metcalf has had a one-year option triggered by the club. Joe Cowan and Isaac Allan are also under contract, while The Echo has previously revealed that Dan Cameron and Adam Richardson are set to move on.

Sunderland remain keen to ensure there is enough specialist coaching support in place across the pathway for their young goalkeepers. No appointment is complete at this stage, but the talks with Jameson point towards Sunderland’s desire to keep building behind the scenes as the club continues to adapt to life back in the Premier League.

Sunderland’s wider coaching staff picture under Règis Le Bris

The potential changes come as Sunderland continue to assess their wider coaching set-up following their first season back in the Premier League. The Echo revealed in February that Sunderland had parted ways with assistant head coach Luciano Vulcano, who had joined the club last summer as part of Le Bris’ backroom team. The club did not immediately replace him at the time and were understood to be comfortable continuing with their existing structure, but there may be further assessment in that department once the dust settles on the campaign.

Vulcano was still in the early stages of his time on Wearside, having arrived with a varied coaching and analytical background across Europe and the Middle East. He began working in football as an analyst before earning his UEFA coaching badges at Italy’s Coverciano school. His career included spells with some of Serie A’s biggest clubs, including Inter Milan, Fiorentina and AC Milan, where he was involved in a league title-winning campaign. He also sampled the UEFA Champions League during his time in Italy and later worked at Al Nassr, where he was part of a coaching staff that included working with Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Despite Vulcano’s departure, Sunderland’s wider coaching structure has remained largely stable under Le Bris. Isidre Ramón Madir, who joined as assistant head coach last summer, continues to lead opposition analysis and arrived on Wearside with significant experience from roles with Barcelona, Valencia, OGC Nice and Paris Saint-Germain, as well as the Spain and Iraq national teams.

Cutler, meanwhile, oversees Sunderland’s first-team goalkeeping programme after previously holding Premier League coaching roles with West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers. His arrival last summer was viewed as an important appointment, and he remains the senior figure in that department. Michael Proctor also remains part of Le Bris’ coaching staff, while Barcherini’s continued presence has provided further continuity after his move from goalkeeping lead into a wider coaching role.

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