Sunderland have parted ways with manager Michael Beale after nine weeks in charge, the club have officially confirmed.
The decision comes after back-to-back defeats for the Black Cats against Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City. Beale spent just nine weeks in charge at the Stadium of Light, taking over from former manager Tony Mowbray on the 19th of December, two months ago to the date of his departure.
During his time at the helm, the former Rangers manager won just four games, losing six within that period. It’s the second time he’s left a club this season after he was sacked by the Scottish side in October after ten months in charge.
Sunderland currently sit tenth in the league, four points behind the playoff places but with some gruelling fixtures on the horizon against Norwich City, Leicester City and Southampton.
Speaking about the decision in the club’s statement of Beale’s exit, Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman said:
“We are disappointed that Michael is leaving Sunderland. Our desire is to improve and unfortunately that hasn’t been evident, as such we take full accountability and feel that acting decisively is in the best interests of the club.
“This has been a difficult few months for Michael, who leaves with our best wishes for the future.”
Mike Dodds has acted as caretaker boss already this season. He will now take charge once more until the end of the season as the club looks to find a long-term successor for Beale, which was first called by Sky Sports.
“Our focus is now on the players and supporting Mike Dodds in the remaining games to ensure we achieve the highest possible league finish. We will be updating our supporters further as and when significant developments are made,” Speakman continued.
With the decision to part ways with Beale coming after just 12 games in charge, he is now officially Sunderland’s shortest-ever permanent manager. His replacement will become the club’s 18th manager in 16 years, and their fifth since January of 2022. Lee Johnson, Alex Neil, Mowbray and Beale have all been in charge at the Stadium of Light in that timeframe.
Writer’s View
The appointment of the 43-year-old did not go the way Sunderland would have wanted, and in the end, there seemed to be little hope of the former Queens Park Rangers manager turning things around. His decision to refuse a handshake from Trai Hume at the weekend did not go down well with the fans.
Will Still was heavily linked to the Black Cats before Beale was appointed in December, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to try and pry the English manager away from Stade de Reims once again.
