Sunderland appoint Michael Beale as new Head Coach | OneFootball

Sunderland have appointed Michael Beale as their new first team manager several weeks after the dismissal of Tony Mowbray.

The Black Cats had been without a manager since December 4th when Mowbray was relieved of his duties after over a year in charge.

Formerly of QPR and most recently Rangers, Beale has been out of the job since October 2023 but returns to the Championship with his new Sunderland side currently sitting in 6th place, just inside the playoffs.

Sunderland had been heavily linked with young Reims manager Will Still but opted for Championship experience in Beale after failing to seal an agreement with the Ligue 1 side.

Before leaving for his mixed stint in Scotland, Beale took a struggling QPR side to top of the Championship in October 2022 which will no doubt have played a part in Sunderland’s pursuit of their ‘surprise target’.

The 43-year-old will be in the stands for Sunderland’s trip to Bristol City on Saturday but will have to wait until next week’s home fixture against Coventry City to take the reins off caretaker coach Mike Dodds.