Wayne Rooney has singled out Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris as his top manager in the Premier League this season, placing the French tactician ahead of renowned figures like Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.
Rooney, the Manchester United legend, shared his assessment following Sunderland’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Newcastle United at the weekend. He highlighted Le Bris’ tactical intelligence and professional background as key factors behind the Black Cats’ impressive start in the top flight.
“Sunderland have adapted tactically in a really impressive way,” Rooney said during his BBC podcast. “Le Bris was an analyst coach in his previous role, and to come in and achieve promotion with Sunderland is remarkable. If I were picking the manager of the season right now, he would definitely be in the conversation. Honestly, I’d probably put him ahead of anyone else at this moment.”
The win over Newcastle propelled Sunderland to seventh place in the Premier League table—a position few would have predicted at the start of the campaign. The team’s strong start has sparked conversations about a potential push for European qualification, a remarkable feat for a side newly promoted to the top tier.
Meanwhile, in other Premier League action, Manchester City continued their pursuit of the title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace. Erling Haaland netted twice, and Phil Foden added another as City dominated at Selhurst Park. After the match, Guardiola praised his players’ individual performances, particularly highlighting Rayan Cherki and Ruben Dias.
“In the final third, Cherki has a unique vision. He keeps the ball exceptionally well and has settled in extremely quickly since joining,” Guardiola told Fabrizio Romano. “And Ruben Dias is an incredible leader. He’s consistent, rarely injured, and his presence lifts the whole squad. He’s a true captain and a cornerstone for us for many years ahead.”
The result kept Manchester City firmly in the title race, now just two points behind league leaders Arsenal, as Guardiola’s men continue to assert themselves as serious contenders.
If you want, I can also make a punchier, more media-style version with extra context on Sunderland’s tactics and Premier League standings that would feel like a full feature article. This would make it feel less like a straight news rewrite and more like a story. Do you want me to do that?
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