On Monday, Sunderland made the major decision to part ways with manager Michael Beale, the second manager whom they let go this season.
Beale only spent nine weeks in charge at the Stadium of Light, after he was let go following a run of poor results. He was brought in to replace Tony Mowbray, who was also deemed to have had a poor start to the Championship season with the Black Cats. The former Rangers boss became Sunderland’s shortest-ever permanent manager with only 12 games with him at the helm.
Mike Dodds has been placed in interim charge at the club, expected to be until the end of the season. This is his second stint in the caretaker role already this season, as he also fulfilled the responsibilities in the aftermath of Mowbray’s sacking.
Speaking exclusively to The Real EFL, former Sunderland manager Simon Grayson described the news as “a bit of a shock”. Grayson was appointed as manager of the club in June 2017 following their relegation to the Championship. By the end of October, with the team sitting in 23rd place in the division, the former Preston North End boss was let go.
“I think, when you look from the outside, that it was probably not the right fit for both parties,” Grayson commented. “I get why Michael went because Sunderland is such a big attraction as a football club, but ultimately results dictate any manager’s career. When you look at them, they weren’t in a real poor run of form, a few points off the playoffs, but they simply couldn’t get a consistent run of results going.”
Speaking on the trials and tribulations of modern-day management, and how fans are often so torn on any appointment, the 54-year-old added “Any modern-day coach, even when you’re linked with a job, people are always scrutinising you. Neil Warnock commented that 50% of Aberdeen fans wanted him, 50% didn’t and that’s just how it is. It just felt from the start that Michael was on a difficult road up there, but winning football matches is what changes that.”
Finally, the former manager stated he felt sorry for the position Beale was in.
“I feel sorry for him, you need time and more opportunity to get your stamp and your philosophy across and they weren’t in a terrible position.”
Sunderland sit 10th in the league and will be hoping to move further up the division as they host Swansea City on Saturday.
The exclusive interview came courtesy of Instant Casinos