Michael Beale sacked as Sunderland manager

Michael Beale has been relieved of his duties as Sunderland manager after just 12 matches in charge.

Appointed as Tony Mowbray's replacement in December, the 43-year-old presided over four wins, two draws and six defeats as Sunderland boss.

Back-to-back Championship defeats against Huddersfield and Birmingham City, which leaves Sunderland 10th in the table, has prompted the club's hierarchy to take action and remove Beale as manager.

Assistant manager Mike Dodds will now take charge of the team on an interim basis until the end of the season, with the Black Cats currently four points off the play-off positions.

Ex-Rangers boss Beale notably failed to build a rapport with the Sunderland faithful during his time at Stadium of Light, with a limp 3-0 FA Cup defeat to fierce rivals Newcastle United not helping his case.

Beale's tenure as manager is now the shortest in Sunderland's history, taking charge of one fewer match than Paolo Di Canio in 2013.

Sunderland fans will now be hoping Mike Dodds can help inspire the team to a positive end to the campaign, with the 37-year-old having enjoyed success as interim manager previously this season following the departure of Tony Mowbray.
 

Sunderland 2023/24 Championship Odds:

To Finish in Top 6 - 6/1
To be Promoted - 25/1
 

Sunderland remaining Championship fixtures 2023/24:

• Saturday 24th February: Sunderland v Swansea City
• Saturday 2nd March: Norwich City v Sunderland
• Tuesday 5th March: Sunderland v Leicester City
• Saturday 9th March: Southampton v Sunderland
• Saturday 16th March: Sunderland v QPR
• Friday 29th March: Cardiff City v Sunderland
• Monday 1st April: Sunderland v Blackburn
• Saturday 6th April: Sunderland v Bristol City
• Tuesday 9th April: Leeds United v Sunderland
• Saturday 13th April: West Brom v Sunderland
• Saturday 20th April: Sunderland v Millwall
• Saturday 27th April: Watford v Sunderland
• Saturday 4th May: Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday
   

James Wilson

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