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How did an unknown Frenchman transform Sunderland?

If you cast your minds back to when Regis Le Bris was first appointed Sunderland head coach in June, there would have been plenty whose first thought was - who?

The Frenchman was somewhat of an unknown outside of France, the boss of Ligue 1's provincial club Lorient with little managerial pedigree.

A quick look on a search engine would have told you he had just seen his club relegated from the top flight of French football after a season of dismal displays of defensive frailty.

Sunderland were coming off a 16th place finish in their previous Championship campaign, having sacked head coach Tony Mowbray while in ninth place in December and seeing his replacement Michael Beale only last 12 games before receiving the same fate.