Sunderland: Cisse backs Black Cats to stay up and talks Roy Keane management return

• Djibril Cisse is delighted to see Sunderland back in the Premier League and is looking forward to the Tyne-Wear derby

• The Frenchman believes the Black Cats will survive relegation under Regis Le Bris

• Cisse says he enjoyed working under Roy Keane and wants to see him return to management

Former Sunderland striker Djibril Cisse discusses Sunderland's return to the Premier League, his time playing for the Black Cats and working under Roy Keane at the Stadium of Light.

I know the coach, Regis Le Bris, he's a French coach with a good reputation. I think they're going to be alright this season.

"I'm really, really happy to see Sunderland back in the Premier League because it's a club where I had a lot of fun. My performances on the pitch for them were great – I think I scored 11 goals, which was a good number – and it's a really passionate place.

"They love football there, and they love that team. So it's really great thing that they're back in the Premier League, and I can't wait to see the Wear-Tyne derby with Newcastle again. 

"I scored in both derbies I played in. We won at home, with Kieran Richardson and me scoring, and I scored away in a game we drew 1-1, so I've got good memories of the derby too!"

"𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞" 👕

Djibril Cisse gave us a rendition of his iconic Sunderland tune

Where does this rank in the all-time fan chants? pic.twitter.com/M8f22JxN4O

— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) August 30, 2025

"The fans had a great song about me as well; that I’d score a goal with half a chance... and my designer underpants! 

"I'm really happy for them, and I hope that they stay up. Whether they do or not will depend on how all their new players settle.

"I know the coach, Regis Le Bris, he's a French coach with a good reputation. I think they're going to be alright this season."

Personally, I would prefer to see him on the pitch than in the TV studio.

"The manager during my time there was Roy Keane, and I loved working with him. He's a fair guy. He's tough. But he is fair. If you deserve to play, you'll play.

"You can be whoever you are, but if a young lad is better than you and working harder than you, he will play the kid. 

"To be honest, I love the guy. I loved him as a player too, of course. I had a really, really good time with him. I'm proud to have played with him. He’s a legend, and it's an honour to have worked with him. I haven’t seen him since our time at Sunderland, but I would love to see him again. 

"It would be great to see him managing again, but I enjoy seeing him as a pundit. He’s good at both, but I think that he's got a lot of things to give to football because he had an amazing career, and I think that he could help a lot of young players.

"Personally, I would prefer to see him on the pitch than in the TV studio, but it's his decision."

After winning two of their opening three Premier League games, we have looked at why the promoted teams could defy the odds and survive relegation this season.

You can also bet on Sunderland's next Premier League game, which is a trip to Crystal Palace, while you can read our match preview for the encounter.

With both their wins coming at home, you can bet on the Black Cats going unbeaten at the Stadium of Light for the entirety of the Premier League season.

View the latest football odds.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.