BRADFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Sunderland Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman talks to Head coach Regis Le Bris (R) during a Pre Season Friendly match between Bradford City and Sunderland at Coral Windows Stadium, Valley Parade on July 30, 2024 in Bradford, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has downplayed his team’s clash against Middlesbrough – by using Newcastle United.
Both Championship clubs go head-to-head at the Stadium of Light this weekend, with the Black Cats looking to correct a miserable record against Boro. Sunderland have won just one of the last 10 fixtures, losing 4-0 on home soil to Michael Carrick’s men last season.
Whether the fixture illustrates a “derby” is up for debate given the animosity between Sunderland and Newcastle. Middlesbrough are often viewed as the third wheel when intense North East tribalism is discussed.
For Toon supporters, they have been alone in the Premier League since Rafa Benitez secured promotion in 2017. Fans have to go back 16 years – when Newcastle and Middlesbrough were relegated – for the last time all three clubs were in the top flight.
January saw the Tyne-Wear derby revived after eight years when the Magpies trounced Sunderland 3-0 in the FA Cup. But regular tussles with the arch-enemy could become a regular fixture should they end their eight-year Premier League exile in May.
The Black Cats sit second following their defeat to Plymouth Argyle last week, with Boro one point outside the play-off places. Those two go to battle on Wearside in the early kick-off – but Le Bris is dismissing the derby talk.
“When we played against local teams at Lorient, we had a specific derby with Brest,” he told reporters ahead of the Boro clash. But we played against Nantes, Rens and Guingamp. The most important derby to my knowledge is Newcastle (United). Middlesbrough is an interesting fixture but I am not sure for supporters if it is a specific derby on Saturday.”
