This comes ahead of the Black Cats’ FA Cup fourth round tie away at Oxford United on Sunday afternoon, with the Premier League side looking to make their quality tell against their Championship opposition.

Le Bris’ side have been one of the stories of the season in the top flight so far this term, as they have flirted with the European places immediately after being promoted last time out.

However, their form has faltered a little of late with just two wins from their last 10 league games, and that has prompted some concern from within the fanbase at the Stadium of Light.

That was highlighted by a post shared on X from one supporter on Saturday, who wrote: “Unless Le Bris does something special like Europe or winning the FA Cup, I think he will be let go at the end of the season.”

‘Ruthless’ Kyril Louis-Dreyfus tipped to end Regis Le Bris tenure

Le Bris has been an immediate success on Wearside since he made the switch from French side Lorient in the summer of 2024.

The 50-year-old delivered an eye-catching season in the Championship last term as his team largely kept up with the blistering pace set by Leeds and Burnley at the top of the table, and eventually secured their promotion via a dramatic play-off campaign.

His first foray into English football has continued in a similar vein this time around, with Sunderland currently sat 11th in the top flight and well beyond any possible relegation fears.

However, their recent poor run has raised a little scrutiny from within the fanbase, with several of the Mackems faithful currently split over their manager’s long-term future.

Fans have piled in with their replies to the original post regarding the boss’ future, and several have stressed their agreement.

One suggested that owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is “far too ruthless” to accept the team’s current slide, while another outlined the exit of sporting director Kristjaan Speakman as an indication that Le Bris could soon follow suit.

However, there was also plenty of uproar to the post, as one fan labelled it as an “astonishing take,” and another questioned how “entitled” his fellow fans have become, with a mid-table finish seemingly not deemed to be good enough.

• @GHcsy0: “This is the kind of fickle thing the Mags would say.”
• @scot40726: “People having a go, genuinely wouldn’t be surprised if this happened tbh, unless he has a change of tactics to improve more offensively, fans will get on his back a bit more.”
• @SAFC_1973_: “100 per cent. Not RLB out but think this will be as far as he will be able to take us.”

Sunderland fans smell chance of FA Cup glory

The Black Cats fans are dreaming of another trip to Wembley ahead of their fourth round tie away at Oxford, but this time they have their eyes on the ultimate prize.

Several supporters suggested that the FA Cup should be a priority for them in the second half of the campaign, despite the fact that there are several top Premier League teams who are still in the competition.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool are already safely through to the fifth round, while Arsenal should breeze past League One strugglers Wigan Athletic on Sunday afternoon.

Newcastle are also still alive in the competition, after they beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Saturday.

Sunderland fans’ newfound belief after their recent fortunes in certainly admirable, but there is still plenty more obstacles for them to overcome before the possibility of a huge day out at Wembley.