Why is it going so wrong for Le Bris at Sunderland?

Sunderland sit bottom of the Premier League after nine games with just one win, raising questions about manager Le Bris despite his Europa League qualification last season.

Sunderland's return to European football for the first time in 53 years has coincided with a dramatic collapse in their Premier League form. After finishing seventh last season and qualifying for the Europa League, the Black Cats have won just once in nine games and sit rooted to the bottom of the table, two points from safety.

Manager Regis Le Bris, who guided the club's promotion push and European qualification, is facing scrutiny despite BBC Sport understanding his job is not in immediate danger. Captain Granit Xhaka questioned the team's "courage" following a 3-1 defeat at Coventry, while defender Nordi Mukiele claimed the side had become "arrogant". The contrast is stark: last season Sunderland beat Chelsea twice and held Arsenal and Manchester City at home; this season they have scored just seven league goals, two from penalties, and finished with ten men in three separate defeats.

With three-quarters of the season remaining, Sunderland face a trip to Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday before hosting Chelsea on Sunday. The club's hierarchy will need to decide how long to remain patient if the team remains in the bottom three, though Le Bris retains credit for last season's achievements.