Paul Merson has given his verdict on Michael Beale’s future in management after he was sacked by Sunderland this week.
It has been two days since Michael Beale parted ways with Sunderland, bringing an end to a disastrous 12-game stint that as arguably written off the Black Cats’ campaign.
The 43-year-old arrived on Wearside arrived with a lot to prove, as a majority of the fan base were incredibly frustrated with his appointment. Of course, he failed to prove the doubters wrong and went onto win only four of his 12 games in charge – while they didn’t actually play well in a single one of them.
Beale’s reign was littered with controversy too, with the manager calling the fans ‘outside noise’ and claiming they wouldn’t accept him because he was a southerner. It has also since been revealed that he was using an anonymous Twitter account to defend himself and criticise the club.
While many expected Beale to leave Sunderland with his reputation in tatters, Paul Merson has provided a more positive verdict.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the pundit said: “There’s only two things you’re assured of in management – paying your taxes and getting sacked. That’s just the way it is. It always happens – sometimes it’s longer, sometimes it’s shorter.
“You’ve got to stay confident, you’ve got to believe in what you’re doing. He got these jobs because of what he does. You don’t become a bad manager over night. It’s the only job in the world where you get the sack and get another job straight away.
“He’s just got to stay to his word. When you start doubting yourself, that’s when you struggle. It’s not in your hands as a manager, as soon as them players cross that white line, it doesn’t matter what you do, they’ve got to perform and you’ve got to pray they do everything you told them to do.
“But he’ll be back, 100% he’ll be back.”
Why Michael Beale should not go straight back into management
Paul Merson clearly hasn’t watched much of Sunderland or kept up with the chaos surrounding Michael Beale over the past couple of months, because if he did then he would know that his sacking was more than just part and parcel of the game.
We have had many managers who have disappointed with the Black Cats but have gone onto have successful careers in management. We know that’s completely normal.
Beale has a terrible attitude and is an incredibly unlikeable man – which clearly translated to the players too. He completely ruined the atmosphere at the club and he changed these hungry, young players into players that didn’t seem to want to step foot on a football pitch.
He disrespected the supporters, he took to social media to criticise the club and he ultimately took the team backwards.
Any club at this level would be crazy to take him on, and if it’s not because of the results then it would surely be down to his personality.