Comment: Sunderland show West Brom and rivals how being bold pays off

In doing so, the decision to appoint relative unknown Regis Le Bris almost a year ago has been totally vindicated.

It was seen as a gamble and a risk turning to a largely untested Frenchman in his late 40s, mostly with a youth and B-team background, last summer.

Le Bris had done some decent things with Lorient in his homeland, but ultimately he oversaw a relegation from Ligue 1 in 2023/24 and was dismissed afterwards before the Black Cats made their move.

It was said Sunderland bided their time for Le Bris. They identified him as the preferred candidate and played the waiting game to get their man. The club’s French owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, 27, pulled off a masterstroke with the appointment of the head coach, a compatriot almost twice his age.

Yet some naysayers were unconvinced. Perhaps understandably, to a point.

The tired, age-old claim of ‘no experience of English football’ and ‘no Championship know-how’ did the rounds.

Saturday’s dramatic last-gasp play-off final success against Sheffield United well and truly put those shouts to bed to cap a highly-impressive debut campaign.

The Stadium of Light club have been in the wilderness for much of the time since their relegation from the top table in 2017. It took them four attempts to make it out of League One after back-to-back demotions. This season, they were by some way the fourth-best side in the Championship.

And on Saturday, when it mattered most on the showpiece occasion, Le Bris masterminded a success over the third-placed side who for so long this term were considered as going up automatically.

Le Bris’ appointment is a lesson to others, perhaps Albion’s hierarchy included.

Historically his appointment would be tutted and met with a sense of underwhelming. It still would be today, in some quarters.

Sunderland’s board have not always got it right in recent years.

Prior to Le Bris they appointed Michael Beale - and the ink was barely dry on his contract before he was dismissed.

There had been the odd Tony Mowbray era. Mowbray, who watched on as a delighted spectator at Wembley, achieved a Championship play-off place but felt poorly treated and very harshly removed.

Alex Neil had finally got the club up from League One but saw more life in a move to Stoke - which proved ill-fated - than on Wearside.

Before that Lee Johnson won a cup but lasted barely more than a year. You could go on. So maybe on the balance of probability they were due a successful appointment.

What their Le Bris decision and era has so far proven is that decision-makers must not fear the unknown and the inexperienced.

Not only did the Frenchman have zero experience in the English game - but he had only managed in senior football since 2022, when he qualified for a professional licence.

Le Bris would’ve been aware of the Black Cats’ model - develop and buy young. For their three seasons since promotion Sunderland have had by far and away the youngest squad in the Championship.

Yes, they have been blessed with academy talent - like last-gasp match-winner Tommy Watson, who is departing for Brighton, among many others - but for much of those three years they have been given the platform to thrive.

But the quality, assurance and tactical decision-making from Le Bris has taken them forward that giant final stride to promotion.

The doubters will argue Sunderland will struggle greatly in the Premier League next season, as promoted sides tend to these days. But the club are now well ahead of schedule and much of that is thanks to a bold head coach appointment.

Albion owners Bilkul Football, who themselves are closing in on a second head coach appointment with the Baggies having failed with the experienced Mowbray, are understood to be eyeing a similar profile. Away from the tried-and-trusted. Like Le Bris, something fresh, with a new hunger.

Obviously there are never guarantees, but Saturday’s play-off final was an example of how being bold can pay off.