Sunderland have today announced their replacement for Tony Mowbray who was sacked two weeks ago. Sunderland’s new head coach will be former Queens Park Rangers and Glasgow Rangers boss Michael Beale. The 43-year-old has been out of work since being sacked at Ibrox at the beginning of October. The news was announced via Sunderland’s official website safc.com.
Beale will take charge of his first Black Cats game this weekend when they host Coventry City at the Stadium of Light. Following that, he will be just two weeks away from a huge FA Cup derby against fierce rivals Newcastle United.
Sunderland’s New Head Coach Announced
Sunderland Statement
Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman said: “We have monitored Michael’s career for some time and we are delighted to have reached an agreement for him to become our new Head Coach. He has an excellent and well-founded reputation for developing players and he is an outstanding progressive coach, who is aligned with our playing identity and naturally fits within our structure alongside Mike Dodds and the wider team. We continue to trust in our established process of identifying the right candidates to take us forward at these junctures and although Michael has had a setback, we feel we are getting him at the right time in his coaching journey and our journey as a Club.”
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus concluded: “I’m thrilled to welcome Michael to our Club and wish him every success here at the Stadium of Light. Throughout our discussions, it was clear that he shares our ideals on implementing a high-performance culture and he is committed to a playing style that we feel is central to our progress. I would also like to place on record my gratitude to Mike Dodds and our coaching team for not only leading us through the interim period, but for adopting a bold and creative approach that inspired memorable back-to-back wins. Alongside Michael, I truly believe our people will continue to drive the Club forward as we enter 2024 with renewed energy, excitement and optimism.”
Michael Beale on Being Appointed Sunderland’s New Head Coach
Speaking after being appointed, Beale said: “It’s a huge honour to be joining the Sunderland family and I would like to thank Kyril, Kristjaan and the rest of the Executive Team for the faith and responsibility they have placed in me. The existing coaching team deserve huge credit for the way they navigated the interim period and like all of the staff at the Club, they will continue to be vitally important moving forward alongside the incredible fans that make SAFC such an historic and unique Club. It’s clear there is some excellent work being done at senior and academy level and I’m excited to support those efforts and implement my own ideas, as we build on the strong identity already established within the Club.”
Coaching History
After playing spells at Charlton Athletic and FC Twente, Michael Beale retired from playing at just 21. He began coaching at Chelsea’s Academy before moving to Liverpool where he progressed from coaching the Under-15s to the Under-21s.
A short time in Brazil followed before heading to Glasgow for his first spell at Ibrox. He worked alongside Steven Gerrard for three years and followed him to Aston Villa in late 2021.
Managerial/Head Coach History
Queens Park Rangers
In the summer of 2022, Beale secured his first job as a head coach when he was appointed at QPR. On October 22nd 2022, with his side sitting at the top of the Championship, Beale turned down the chance to speak to Wolverhampton Wanderers over their vacant managerial position.
Beale said in a statement: “Integrity and loyalty are big things for me, and if they are the values you live by you have to be strong. I have been all-in here and I have asked other people to be all-in so I can’t be the first person to run away from the ship.”
Just over one month later, he accepted Glasgow Rangers’ offer to become their new manager.
Rangers
Appointed manager at Ibrox, Beale had full control over transfers, something he will not have as the Head Coach at Sunderland. He started brightly at Ibroz winning his first four games and the Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month award; however, this was as good as it would get.
Three defeats from the first seven games of the new season which left the club in third place and seven points behind rivals Celtic saw Beale relieved of his duties.
Main Image courtesy of IMAGO
