Sunderland legend desperately wants Regis Le Bris to avoid ‘painful’ fate he suffered in ‘best play-off final ever’

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Sunderland managerial legend Peter Reid has shared some words of wisdom for Regis Le Bris ahead of the Championship semi-final clashes against Coventry City.

Sunderland will face Coventry City in the Championship play-offs in a double-header affair that will send one side to Wembley against either Sheffield United or Bristol City.

With Friday night’s fixture at CBS Arena clash approaching, everything on paper points to difficulty for Regis Le Bris and his side.

Sunderland’s worrying record in the play-offs, and their barren head-to-head history against Coventry, combined with their season curtailing on a five-game losing streak, all cast doubt over the Black Cats’ Premier League promotion potential.

One Sunderland manager who felt the bitter sting of a play-offs final defeat was Peter Reid, and the Black Cats icon has shared some words of wisdom for Le Bris ahead of the season-defining campaign.

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Sunderland icon Peter Reid wants Regis Le Bris to avoid ‘painful’ play-offs defeat

Reid was in the Black Cats’ dugout for the “dramatic” 1997/98 Championship play-off final against Charlton Athletic.

That final is dubbed by EFL supporters as the best play-off final ever, in which the scores were 4-4 after extra-time, and Charlton secured top flight promotion at the expense of Sunderland with a 7-6 shoot-out win at the old Wembley.

Reid was the Sunderland manager from 1995-2002, but that heartbreaking loss to the Addicks still cuts deep for the Black Cats icon.

Ahead of the upcoming double-header against Coventry, via the Sunderland Echo, Reid shared some words of wisdom for the current Sunderland boss Le Bris.

Reid said: “I will for sure be shouting the lads on and will live it all with those amazing fans.

“We went through every second of it together in the past and those that lived to tell the tale will know how tense the play-offs can be.

“Our game against Charlton at Wembley in May 1998 has been described by many as the greatest play-off game of all time. To say that it was dramatic would be an understatement.

“We ended up 4 – 4 after extra time and heartbreakingly lost 7 – 6 on penalties, and we missed out on a Premiership place.

“Wembley proved to be a real choker that day for us all, and we desperately don’t want to go through something similar in the games ahead over the next few weeks.

“We all painfully learnt then that anything can happen in those play-off games – I still relive it all some 27 years on, and whenever I go back it still affects me when I talk with the fans.”

Looking ahead to the clash, Reid continued: “I am so wishing Regis Le Bris and the lads the very best for a return to the top flight – the fans in the city are well worthy of their place at that level.

“Sunderland have been the surprise package in the Championship this season securing a play-off spot a few weeks ago.

“You need that bit of luck in what can sometimes turn into a lottery – trust me, I will be shouting the lads on every step of the way.

“Those fans can be like an extra man to the team with their huge passion, and I know they will give the players everything during the games.”

Le Bris will be hoping to follow Reid’s pathway to Wearside icon-status after his achievement in the season immediately following that Chartlon final heartache.

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Regis Le Bris will want to follow Peter Reid example if they fail in play-offs

In the wake of Wembley heartbreak against Charlton, Sunderland returned to the Premier League under Reid after winning the Division One title with a then-record of 105 league points, which stands now at second in the highest points tallies in Championship history.

The Sunderland fanbase is split over Le Bris’ future, with some doubtful he is the right man to mount a title charge next season, if the Black Cats fail in the play-offs this term.

Le Bris has already cemented himself as one of the best head coaches in the modern-day Sunderland era, guiding the club to the play-offs in his first campaign on the touchline.

If the Frenchman can go one better and win at Wembley, which his predecessor is desperate to see, the Black Cats boss’ name will be etched into Wearside folklore alongside the iconic boss Reid.