Sunderland owner has a tough decision to make over his manager's future

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris insists he has the backing of owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus as speculation ramps up over his future.

The Black Cats remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table after a dreadful 3-1 defeat against Coventry City on Saturday. The newly-promoted side stormed into a 3-0 lead before a late rally from the visitors saw them pull a goal back through Enzo Le Fee.

It wasn't enough to disguise a poor performance, however, and the boos at full-time from the away end told a story. Le Bris is now coming under increasing pressure despite a stunning last two years which saw him guide Sunderland to promotion from the Championship and then help them into seventh place in the top flight and a place in Europe.

Inconsistency, a lack of attacking football and defensive mistakes are blighting the Black Cats this season as they continue to struggle to juggle the demands of playing in the Europa League with league form.

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Despite being unbeaten in Europe, and reaching the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, they have won just once in the league this season and sit bottom of the standings with a relegation fight beckoning unless there is a swift upturn.

Le Bris was questioned on his future during his post-match press conference at the CBS Arena but says he believes he still has the support of Louis-Dreyfus and director of football Florent Ghisolfi.

"I've no doubt," Le Bris told reporters when asked if he still thought he had the support of the key decision-makers at the club. "I don't think like this. For me, we experienced so many difficult situations to achieve what we achieved, and we won't give up just because it's a bit tough at the beginning of the season.

"So, 100 per cent I'm combative. I feel the unity of the club. The players obviously still have doubt because when you lose, you try to find solutions.

"I don't feel that the players are trying to escape their own responsibilities, which is the most important, I think. And for the players, it's the case. For the staff, it's the case. For me, it's the case. So, I keep working hard."

The travelling support at the CBS Arena made their feelings clear at the final whistle, and there has been a strong reaction on social media to Le Bris' future. The Frenchman says he appreciates the fan sentiment but believes everyone will pull together.

"It was totally understandable," he said of the reaction. "I think if you're not disappointed that at the end of the game they're going away at Coventry for an important game for three points, it's normal to react like this.

"But I know their support. I know that they believe in the club. They experienced a much more difficult situation than this one, and we'll stick together."