SUNDERLAND are in advanced talks with Lorient over Regis Le Bris, and are hoping to be able to confirm the Frenchman as their new head coach in the next couple of days.

Le Bris was on an initial five-man shortlist that was drawn up when Michael Beale was dismissed in February, with the Sunderland hierarchy having spent the final weeks of last season assessing their options.

An initial approach was made to Will Still, who became available after leaving Reims, but talks broke down when the Englishman opted to take over at Ligue 1 club Lens instead.

Sunderland then identified Le Bris as their preferred option, but the process of trying to appoint the 48-year-old Frenchman has proved problematic.

First, the Black Cats had to ensure Le Bris was able to get a work permit in the UK, which involved having to go through an appeals process because he initially failed to meet the relevant criteria.

Then, Sunderland had to negotiate Le Bris’ release from Lorient, who are going through a process of considerable change following their relegation from the French top-flight last season.

When Nice tried to appoint Le Bris as their new head coach halfway through last season, it was reported that the Lorient head coach had a €5m release clause in his contract.

Sunderland have held a series of discussions with senior officials at Lorient over a compensation package for Le Bris, and while a final settlement is still to be reached, there is growing confidence that an agreement is close.

The Black Cats are set to confirm Le Bris’ appointment in the next couple of days provided things go smoothly, meaning the new boss will be in place ahead of the start of pre-season training at the end of next week.

Le Bris started his playing career with Rennes before dropping into the French lower leagues with Laval and Ronse. He was handed his first head coach job with Lorient in the summer of 2022, and guided the club to an impressive tenth-place finish in his first season in charge.

Last term was more of a struggle though, with Le Bris unable to prevent Lorient from suffering relegation to the French second tier as they finished in 16th position in the final Ligue 1 table.

Nevertheless, despite suffering the drop in his homeland last month, the Sunderland hierarchy are confident Le Bris is the kind of progressive and innovative head coach they want to take the club forward next season.

Sunderland made the play-offs under Tony Mowbray two seasons ago, and were still reasonably well placed when Mowbray was dismissed last December.

However the appointment of Beale as his successor was a disaster, and Sunderland’s slide down the table continued under the interim control of Mike Dodds in the final three months of last season, with the club eventually finishing in 16th position in the Championship.