Regis Le Bris has said Sunderland's forthcoming trip to Milan in the Europa League is "a symbol" of the club's upward trajectory. For many years Newcastle fans have taunted their local rivals with chants of "You'll never see a Mackem in Milan" and, after arriving from Brittany two years ago, Le Bris swiftly learned that St James' Park regulars regarded themselves as distinctly superior to Sunderland supporters.
Now, though, the tables have turned and Le Bris is enjoying the moment. Sunderland's manager agreed that it seemed somehow appropriate that the first fixture involving his team to be drawn in Monaco on Friday featured a trip to San Siro.
Le Bris: 'It's iconic'
"To get back in Europe with this fixture, it's a symbol," said Le Bris, whose side finished seventh in the Premier League last season after beating Newcastle home and away. "It's iconic. Milan is a massive club and it's a massive story.
"I'm aware of it [the Newcastle fans' Milan jibes], but I want to speak more about us. We are proud to be in Sunderland and our fans deserve to be in this position. It's [going to be] a huge experience and we are very proud to be part of it but we want to be efficient. We want to be competitive in the Europa League."
As Sunderland fans began ordering T-shirts and sweatshirts emblazoned with the message "Mackem in Milan" to wear in northern Italy, Le Bris seemed delighted that three players, goalkeeper Robin Roefs, winger Romaine Mundle and the forward Wilson Isidor have signed new long term contracts at the Stadium of Light.
New contracts and transfer plans
"They see their future in Sunderland because they trust the club and like the environment and they trust the ambition of the club," said a manager whose side will also face AZ, Dinamo Zagreb, Levski Sofia and Jagiellonia at the Stadium of Light and Anderlecht, Lech Poznan and Torreense away in the Europa League.
Le Bris, whose team are at home to Fulham on Sunday, declined to comment on Sunderland's attempt to sign Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City but it is believed the former England winger is now most likely to re-join Everton.
Sunderland, meanwhile, remain in the hunt for a right winger and a striker this summer. "I trust the recruitment staff," said Le Bris. "We are well aligned about the targets we need to make the team better and I still think that we will succeed in the transfer market."
