Ross Wallace Exclusive: Sunderland Are Flying – Le Bris Has Them On The Rise

Former Celtic and Sunderland winger Ross Wallace says the Black Cats’ transformation under Regis Le Bris has been nothing short of remarkable — but warns that the club must keep its feet on the ground.

Promoted back to the top flight this season, Sunderland have stunned the Premier League and sit fourth after 11 games, collecting 19 points and earning plaudits for their fearless football.

A club widely tipped to battle relegation according to pre-season odds on betting sites are instead mixing it with the big boys, drawing with Arsenal, beating Everton and showing a resilience that has taken everyone by surprise.

Few predicted it, but as momentum builds, belief has returned to one of English football’s sleeping giants.

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Wallace, like most others, is stunned by the progress made under Le Bris, and is worried that some of Europe's top clubs could come calling to poach the French manager.

Asked if Sunderland’s success will attract elite clubs to look at Le Bris as their next manager, Wallace said: "Definitely. It’s obvious in football – if you’re doing well, the so-called more elite teams come after you.

"When you’re at that level of work, and there are so many people involved, the owners will already have people lined up.

"But right now, Sunderland just need to ride the wave, because when the season’s good and you’re winning games, you’ve got to enjoy it. It doesn’t come around very often."

Wallace, speaking exclusively to Gambling.com ahead of the 2025 Scottish Masters tournament in Aberdeen, where he’ll represent Celtic, believes the atmosphere around Sunderland has shifted completely:

"For Sunderland, it should be top half or top 10 – they’d be delighted with that. Going into the season, they’d have wanted to stay in the league, but now with the start they’ve had, it’s kind of like: how high can they go?"

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However, the former winger admits that maintaining momentum is often harder than creating it.

"It’s just about whether they can sustain performances and keep winning football matches," Wallace continued. "They’ve got a lot of loan players as well, so in the January transfer window, can they strengthen and keep the players they’ve got? 

"When a team’s playing well, you need to be careful about signing players because it can upset the apple cart."

That chemistry, he says, has been one of Le Bris’s biggest triumphs - something perfectly highlighted in the club’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal earlier this month.

"Sunderland are flying at the minute. They took a big risk in the summer with recruitment – they’re using data analytics to sign players. 

"Credit to the manager and the recruitment team because they’ve basically just ripped it all up.

"The signing of [Granit] Xhaka has just knitted it all together. He’s been outstanding.

"When you’re playing with belief and confidence, you get those moments," he added. 

"They’ve built a proper identity again - and that’s what fans have been craving for a long time."

Tyne-Wear Derby Days: Sunderland Have Momentum

The feel-good factor extends beyond the club and stadium. The former Black Cat says Sunderland’s progress under Le Bris has restored pride across the North East - even if finishing above bitter rivals Newcastle United would still take something extraordinary.

"If Sunderland finish above Newcastle this season, they’ve had a remarkable season," Wallace said. 

"It’s still a good Newcastle side. I’ve worked under Eddie Howe at Burnley, and I know he’ll get them going again.

"But Sunderland have the feel-good factor right now. Football’s about today, not last month or last week."

For Wallace, it is not just all about results - it’s about belief. The Tyne-Wear derby, expected to be one of the fiercest in recent years, comes at a time when Sunderland’s momentum contrasts with Newcastle’s poor run.

"Of course, they’ll fancy their chances," he said. "They’re playing well and have momentum. Newcastle are sort of tiptoeing through the season – a couple of good results, then an iffy one. But on their day, if they go through the gears, they’re a top side."

Wallace, who knows what it's like to play in front of a packed Stadium of Light, says the derby will be fiercely fought, but is happy that his former club will go into the game full of confidence.

"It’s about momentum," he added. "Sunderland have that right now. They’ve got a great feel around the place – and when that happens, you just have to keep riding the wave."

The message from the former winger is clear: Sunderland are not just competing again - they’re believing.