Le Bris and Sunderland out to complete season´s purpose in play-off final

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris says the team are determined to complete the “purpose” they set out last summer and win promotion to the Premier League.

The Black Cats take on Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in the Championship play-off final on Saturday, with Sunderland out to end their eight-year exile from the top-flight.

Le Bris took over from caretaker boss Mike Dodds, who had been in place since Michael Beale was sacked in February, in June 2024, arriving from French side Lorient.

Sunderland finished 16th last year but have been among the play-off places for much of this campaign, and have not been lower than fourth for the duration of the season.

Their fate looked set to be decided on penalties in the second leg of their semi-final clash with Coventry City after Ephron Mason-Clark had levelled the tie on aggregate.

However, Dan Ballard’s last-gasp goal in extra time sealed their place at Wembley, though Le Bris revealed a top-six finish was their ambition since he arrived at the club.

“We are exactly where we wanted to be at the start of the season,” Le Bris said.

“When we first met with the players, I asked them ‘what is the purpose of the season?’ They told me they wanted to get promoted. Here we are and we have this opportunity.”

One day to go. #TilTheEnd pic.twitter.com/NRIDvOyuQw

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) May 23, 2025

Indeed, this is Sunderland’s third second tier play-off final, losing to Swindon Town in 1989-90 before losing to Charlton Athletic on penalties in 1997-98 after a 4-4 draw.

The only previous meeting between Sunderland and the Blades in the play-offs came in the 1997-98 semi-final, with the Black Cats winning 3-2 on aggregate.

However, Chris Wilder’s team go into this game as favourites, emerging victorious in 49.4% of Opta’s data-led simulations, with Sunderland handed a 26.5% win probability.

The Blades finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland in the regular Championship season, which is the biggest points difference between two Football League play-off finalists in the current format (since 1988-89).

Le Bris, however, knows the potential of his players, explaining that watching some of Sunderland’s matches from last season showed the raw potential of their young squad.

“For me, it was not a surprise, but for a team that finished 16th, maybe the step could have been a bit high,” he said.

“When I analysed different games, it was really obvious that this team was able to play really good football but had a lack of consistency.

“For me, it was possible to improve the consistency through the methodology, through the work we can have during the season.

“The weakness was identified, and then it was a question of work and different improvements during the season.”

Of their starting XI in the two legs of their play-off semi-final success over Coventry, Luke O’Nien was the only player aged over 30 and Patrick Roberts the only other past 25.

With so many young players in Sunderland’s ranks, while the Blades boast a number of players who have played in the Premier League, it is the first Wembley outing for many.

But Le Bris ensured that the emotion of the occasion would not affect his young squad, even with the prize of top-flight football within touching distance.

“It’s not always a question of age, it’s a question of connection with the path,” he said. “You can be 17, and you can be ready for this fixture.

“Or you could be 30, and probably have problems managing your emotions. The players seem mature for this event.”