League One to Europa League in four years – Sunderland defy the odds

four years ago, Sunderland Beating Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 in the League One play-off final at Wembley Stadium began a journey that few could have predicted.

But not until then Regis Le Bris arrived After finishing sixth and 16th in the championship in 2024, their trajectory has really changed.

In his first season as French head coach, Sunderland Finished 24 points behind Burnley And Leeds in the automatic promotion places and managed just 58 goals in 46 games.

They needed an injury-time winner to beat Coventry City in the play-off semi-finals and were clear underdogs in the final against Sheffield United.

But the Black Cats came from behind at Wembley, scoring another injury-time winner through Tom Watson to return to the Premier League for the first time in eight years.

Exactly one year later, Sunderland Sitting pretty among the elite.

Many did not expect Sunderland To survive in the top flight, don’t mind improving.

In each of the previous two campaigns, all three promoted teams went straight back to the Championship.

But Le Brice’s side bucked that trend and went neck-and-neck against more established sides.

“It’s a huge collective achievement,” said Le Bris.

“That’s what we showed last season and staying together. We can be ambitious, but we have to work hard. The fans are really important – they’re a huge part of this club. It’s a community and we’re proud to represent them.”

Sunderland In seventh place with 54 points – just six behind Liverpool Champions League places – after 14 wins, 12 draws and 12 losses.

Their number is the highest since the new promotion Leeds United In 2020–21 (59 points), their seventh-place finish was the best of a newly promoted team. the wolf in 2018-19 (seventh).

They are also only the 10th newly promoted Premier League team to qualify for Europe and only the fifth team to do so by finishing a league away. Newcastle (1993-94), Nottingham Forest (1994–95), Ipswich Town (2000–01) and the wolf (2018-19).

win over Chelsea Completed a league double over the Blues on the last day.

Chelsea suffer the same fate as SunderlandIts north-eastern rival Newcastlewho were beaten both home and away by a team led by Le Bris.

Sunderland Also champion ArsenalRunners up Manchester City And Manchester United Credible draw – to name but a few impressive results.

“The fortress, the atmosphere, the amount of points they have at the Stadium of Light is unbelievable,” said former England striker Ellen White on BBC Final Score.

“The fans who are moving to Europe next season will definitely be buzzing.”