Michael Beale has landed his first job since leaving Sunderland in February this year. He lasted just 12 games as Black Cats boss.
Michael Beale was one of three managers in place at Sunderland last season. Sunderland appointed Beale after the club sacked Tony Mowbray in December, but Beale would only last until February.
The Black Cats eventually finished in 16th place of the Championship table under Mike Dodds who oversaw the final few months of the campaign.
Beale won four of his games in charge of the club. But Sunderland fans disliked Beale because of some of his comments in the media, one being: “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.”
Since leaving Sunderland, Beale has been linked with Maccabi Tel Aviv. He was also among the bookies’ favourites for the Stoke City job earlier this season, but he’s now linked up with a familiar friend.
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Michael Beale named Steven Gerrard’s assistant at Al-Ettifaq
On Wednesday afternoon it was reported that the 44-year-old Beale was set to reunite with Steven Gerrard at Saudi club Al-Ettifaq.
Beale was Gerrard’s no.2 at Rangers and eventually went back to take on the manager’s job where he lasted 11 months.
But after nine months out of the game, Beale has now reunited with Gerrard in Saudi Arabia as his no.2.
The move was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon with Beale now appearing as a member of staff on the club’s official website.
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How is Steven Gerrard getting on at Al-Ettifaq?
Liverpool and England legend Gerrard headed to the Saudi Pro League to take charge of Al-Ettifaq in July 2023, having since overseen 48 games as manager.
But the 44-year-old has won just 17 of those games, leaving him with a win rate of 35.4% as his side sit slumped in 12th place of the table right now.
Gerrard rose to management fame in 2021 when he steered Rangers to their first Scottish title in 10 years, eventually leaving the club in November 2021 to take charge of Villa.
But Gerrard lasted just 11 months at Villa Park. Beale worked under Gerrard at both Rangers and Villa, leaving the latter in June 2022 to take on his first management gig with QPR.
Meanwhile at Sunderland, Regis Le Bris sees his side sitting in 1st place of the Championship table as things stand, with a trip to Millwall on the agenda this weekend.