Sunderland parted ways with Michael Beale yesterday, after just 12 games in charge of the club.
Beale leaves with a win percentage of 33.33%, making him the club’s worst manager (statistically speaking) since Chris Coleman left the club in 2018 with a record of 17.2%.
It’s since been revealed that Beale had lost the Sunderland dressing room, with Mike Dodds now taking interim charge until the end of the season.
Beale’s Sunderland appointment, tenure, and eventual departure has been a key talking point among Football League viewers over the past few weeks.
And now, Chris Sutton has given his verdict on the 43-year-old.
Chris Sutton sympathises with Michael Beale after Sunderland exit
Former Celtic striker Sutton has had a few media run-ins with the former Rangers boss.
But Sutton has since revealed that he feels sorry for Beale after his Sunderland exit, stating that ’12 games isn’t enough’.
Speaking on The Monday Night Club on BBC 5 Live, Sutton said:
“I actually feel for him, I do… The club get him in, they have this vision… he’s got a reputation of being a good coach and developing young players, 12 games isn’t enough.”
He added:
“He hasn’t helped himself over his management career because he does open his mouth to much. But I think it’s a harsh, harsh sacking.”
A good coach, but Beale doesn’t help himself
Sutton makes a very good point there.
Beale is clearly a good coach having worked for the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool in the past, working with younger players too which would’ve been attractive to Sunderland.
But at both Rangers and Sunderland; two teams with huge and passionate fan bases, Beale made comments that simply didn’t help his cause, and early on at the Stadium of Light, Beale had an uphill battle trying to get the players on board.
Expect him to take a break from football but expect him to be back to try and regain his reputation.
Beale might yet try and work as a no.2 after two very difficult stints as a no.1, and it’ll certainly be interesting to see which club fancies taking a chance on him.
Sunderland return to action at home to Swansea City this weekend.