Sunderland have parted ways with Michael Beale, and it could spell good news for these three players.
Sunderland and Beale parted ways on Monday after a controversial and turbulent 12-game spell at the Stadium of Light.
Beale won four of his 12 games in charge and left the club in 10th place of the table, but performances and a rift between Beale and Sunderland fans turned his tenure sour early on.
Mike Dodds has been named interim manager until the end of the season and he now has a seven-point gap to the top-six to make up, and just 13 games to do it in.
But he could be buoyed by a rejuvenated squad after a tough spell under Beale, with three players potentially set to benefit from Beale’s exit more than most…
Chris Rigg could be handed Sunderland game-time
Sunderland’s 16-year-old teen sensation made just two substitute appearances under Beale, despite Beale insisting Chris Rigg was part of future plans.
There’s been widespread rumours of interest in the teenager ahead of the summer, with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United reportedly keen on Rigg, as well as Bayern Munich.
Dodds then could be tempted to give the attacker a few run outs in the final weeks of the season, in a bid to tempt him to stay on Wearside for the foreseeable future.
Jenson Seelt
Dutch defender Jenson Seelt is another who struggled for game time under Beale, making just one substitute appearance in the last four games.
But with Dan Ballard now suspended for the next two games after picking up a 10th yellow card of the season vs Birmingham City last time out, there could be a chance for Seelt to come back into the XI.
The 20-year-old can play at right-back or at centre-back, though his height might be preferred in the middle in the absence of Ballard, and his pace and ball-carrying ability could give Sunderland a new outlet at the back.
Dodds has spoken highly of Seelt in the past, describing him as a ‘really good footballer’.
Abdoullah Ba
Abdoullah Ba is often a key talking point among Sunderland fans.
One minute he looks like a world-beater, the next he’s struggling for form against a lowly Birmingham City.
The Frenchman though has clear ability and playing in a more expansive and daring Sunderland side under Dodds, as opposed to a very negative and bland Sunderland side under Beale, should bring more out of Ba.
So far this season, the 20-year-old has three goals and four assists in 30 Championship outings.