Sunderland boss Michael Beale has shocked fans and journalists with his pre-match comments ahead of the weekend.
Sunderland welcome Stoke City to the Stadium of Light this weekend.
But what should be a close-fought encounter in the Championship has been shrouded by the tension among Sunderland fans; which is completely aimed at Beale.
The former Rangers and QPR boss became the source of major criticism after a bland performance in the 1-0 defeat vs Hull City last week.
And as if matters couldn’t worsen, Beale has hit out in his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend, leaving fans and journalist alike in shock.
Michael Beale aims dig at Sunderland fans over personal jibes
Sunderland fans haven’t held back in their criticism of Beale this week.
Social media has been flooded with #BealeOut and widespread criticisms of the 43-year-old, although a small percentage of criticism may have gone over the top.
Speaking to The Northern Echo after his pre-match presser was cut short due a lighting issue yesterday, Beale continued:
“People didn’t want me here in the first place. You can say afterwards it’s about style or this and that, but let’s cut to the chase, people didn’t want me. I feel I deserve a little bit more respect because my journey deserves that, but if people don’t want to give it then that’s fine.”
Beale replaced the well-liked Tony Mowbray, after fans thought they were getting Reims’ exciting young coach Will Still.
“I have to get on with the job,” Beale continued. “If you spend 16 years at Chelsea and Liverpool, you know what expectations are. I was a young coach who went across to Brazil, so I’m not worried about taking on pressure. I’ve just been at a massive football club (Rangers) before I came here.”
Beale then began on a bizarre rant in which he suggests the fact that he’s from the south and doesn’t share the same accent as those from Sunderland is acting as a barrier between him and the fanbase.
He said:
“If it’s about your job it’s about your job, but if it’s about anything else…. look, I can’t change my accent or where I’m from. I’m proud of where I’m from.”
Beale added:
“I haven’t worked in London for ten years, but obviously I am from South London. Six years in Liverpool, four-and-a-half in Glasgow, a year in Brazil. My accent hasn’t changed. I am happy to be criticised if we can’t score goals or repeatedly make mistakes, but that one is a bit off.”
Journalist James Copley is one of the many left in shock over Beale’s latest comments, posting on X:
Steve Bruce comparisons mark the beginning of the end for Michael Beale
Steve Bruce was Sunderland boss between 2009 and 2011, and he eventually left; Bruce believed the fact he was a Newcastle United fan resulted in his dismissal.
So Copley’s comparison makes sense. Beale was an unpopular appointment, made more unpopular after poor results and even worse performances, but his pre-match rant ahead of the game vs Stoke City has completely ruined any chances of a relationship with the fans.
Even if Sunderland go on to win heavily tomorrow and put together a three or four-game winning streak, which seems unlikely, Beale would still have the majority of fans against him.
Sunderland supporters are as passionate as they come and whilst a small percentage of criticism aimed at Beale has been over the top, his style of play and the performances since he took charge deserve criticism, and Beale’s comments ahead of the Stoke game will only serve to upset and already angered fanbase.
It’ll certainly be a hostile reception at the Stadium of Light tomorrow and if Sunderland go on to lose, and put in a poor performance along the way, we could see a whole new world of criticism unfold.