We look over where Michael Beale ranks in Sunderland’s shortest-ever reign as manager of the Black Cats.
Beale was sacked on Monday, quickly ending his time at the Stadium of Light. The manager was brought in to replace Tony Mowbray in December. However, a poor run of form, including defeats to Huddersfield and Birmingham in his last two games, relieved him of his position.
This ended a far-from-successful spell where Beale only won four of the 12 games he took charge of.
As a result, the Black Cats now sit 10th and are seven points off the playoffs at the time of writing.
In this article, we examine which managers had the shortest spells at Sunderland. This will be based on the games in charge and will not include caretakers or interim managers as part of the list.
10 – Chris Coleman
After a successful spell at Wales where Coleman guided the side to the semi-finals of the 2016 Euros, the manager’s next job would be at Sunderland.
The Welshman joined the Black Cats in November 2017 as they were struggling near the bottom of the Championship, just after their relegation from the Premier League. Coleman aimed to turn this form around, however, he was unsuccessful.
By the end of the campaign, he oversaw Sunderland’s relegation to League One and he was dismissed by the end of the campaign.
Record: P29, W5, D8, L16
9 – Howard Wilkinson
After having spells across multiple clubs, including a brief stint as England caretaker, Wilkinson returned to management at Sunderland in October 2002. Leaving his role as FA Technical Director, the Black Cats were in danger of relegation from the Premier League. However, Wilkinson did not reduce these fears in his spell.
The manager was unable to improve the form of the Black Cats before he departed in March 2003. Sunderland would go on to be relegated from the top flight at the end of the season, with, at the time, the worst points tally in the division at 19.
Record: P27, W4, D8, L15
8 – Ricky Sbragia
One of the more successful appointments on this list. Sbragia’s only senior managerial position came at Sunderland in December 2007, when he was given a permanent position after his caretaker role.
During this time, Sbragia managed to guide Sunderland to Premier League survival on the final day before resigning to make room for a more experienced appointment.
Record: P26, W6, D7, L13
7 – Billy Elliot
Another successful manager on this list. Elliot had two spells at Sunderland, however, his second spell was on a permanent basis.
After a stint a Norwegian side Brann, Elliot returned to England in December 1978 to reunite with the Black Cats. Here, the manager almost guided Sunderland to promotion before he was sacked at the end of the season as the board brought in Ken Knighton.
Record: P26, W14, D7, L5
6 – Alex Neil
A manager who’s short spell has defined how people see him at Sunderland. Neil joined the Black Cats in February 2022, aiming to finally take the side back into the Championship.
This task, Neil did complete. The club would beat Wycombe 2-0 in the League One playoff final, as seen on Sunderland ‘Til I Die, to secure promotion to the second tier once more.
However, his spell at the club would soon come to a quick end. Neil opted to leave the club in August 2022, to join Stoke, a side where he would last just over a year at.
Record: P24, W12, D9, L3
5 – Dick Advocaat
Advocaat had a mixed record at Sunderland. The Dutchman came into the club with the aim of keeping the Black Cats in the Premier League back in March 2015. This he achieved. Overseeing a turnaround in form, Advocaat guided Sunderland to 16th and then signed a new one-year deal at the club.
However, the 2015/16 season was not so successful. The manager only registered one win, a 6-3 defeat of Exeter City in the League Cup, before resigning in October 2015.
Record: P19, W4, D6, L9
4 – Simon Grayson
Coming in just after Sunderland’s relegation in June 2017, Grayson looked to give the Black Cats an immediate return to the top flight. However, his spell in charge could not have been further from that reality.
Grayson was sacked in October 2017, after a 3-3 draw with Bolton. Sunderland sat in the relegation zone at the time where they would end up staying come the end of the campaign.
Record: P18, W3, D7, L8
3 – Pablo Di Canio
Di Canio joined Sunderland in March 2013, after a successful spell at Swindon Town where he oversaw their promotion to League One. The Italian was tasked with keeping Sunderland in the Premier League, a task that he would complete as the Black Cats finished 17th.
However, the next campaign was less successful. In the first five league games of the 2013/14 season, Di Canio only picked one point. He was then sacked in September 2013.
Record: P13, W3, D3, L7
2 – Michael Beale
The most recent manager on this list. Beale was brought into the club in December 2023 with the club aiming to return to the Premier League.
However, Beale’s side lacked consistency. This combined with controversy in his final game against Birmingham saw him relieved of his duties in February 2024. Further controversy then arose after his appointment when it was claimed that Beale had an anonymous X account, posting support throughout his reign.
Record: P12, W4, D2, L6
1 – Niall Quinn
The shortest managerial stint at Sunderland by a long way is Quinn. The Irishman brought the club back in June 2006 and became the manager and chairman of the club as a result.
However, his time in the dugout was not successful. The former Sunderland striker only oversaw one victory before he stepped down, allowing Roy Keane to come into the club.
Record: P6, W1, D0. L5