What Mick Beale said after getting sacked at Sunderland AFC as Hull City links ramp up | OneFootball

Michael Beale could be set for a return to the Championship with Hull City

Michael Beale is being linked with a return to the Championship with the managerial vacancy at Hull City.

According to Football Insider, the 44-year-old has been interviewed by the Tigers as a potential replacement for Ruben Selles.

Beale previously worked with QPR and Sunderland in the Championship, but is currently out of work.

The ex-Black Cats boss hasn’t managed since being dismissed by the Wearside outfit in February 2024, having lasted just 12 games in charge.

Here we take a look back at what Beale said following his dismissal from Sunderland amid these links with the manager position at Hull.

Michael Beale’s response to Sunderland sacking

Beale admitted that it was a disappointing period for everyone involved with Sunderland at the time.

He blamed a difficult January transfer window, in which he failed to bring in certain players, as costly, suggesting things might have played out differently otherwise.

“It was a disappointing period for everyone, not just myself, for the people inside the club, the players and the fans,” said Beale, via Sky Sports, in March 2024.

“Everyone went into it with the right intentions.

“In terms of the league results, we were always between sixth and ninth position.

“The weekend before I left we had a fantastic home result against Plymouth and won 3-1 but you wouldn't have thought at that point that I'd be leaving a week later.

“The owner there has got a really unique way of how he wants his club to work.

“I think he should be applauded for it, with the young players.

“There were a few discussions in the January window, we weren't able to bring in one or two that might have helped us a bit more but I think there's a lot of good things happening at Sunderland.

“The passion from the fans is fantastic.”

Sunderland made a bid to sign Kieffer Moore on loan in the 2024 January market, according to The Athletic, but he instead opted for a move to Ipswich Town.

The Tractor Boys went on to earn automatic promotion to the Premier League, while Sunderland slumped to a 16th-place finish.

Beale makes Tony Mowbray admission

Beale was hired in December 2024 in difficult circumstances, replacing a beloved figure in Tony Mowbray.

He claimed that this was a challenge, also highlighting that a striker signing was needed to challenge properly for promotion to the Premier League.

“It's difficult when you go into a club, I think you have to acknowledge that they probably didn’t want the change,” he added.

“They’re obviously not in control of that, the change was made with Tony leaving after doing a good job.

“I think the big thing with the Sunderland squad now, it’s very talented in terms of technical ability but need a bit more experience within the team to maybe get over the line.

“Even in the games since I've left and Mike Dodds has taken over, the results have not been what they've deserved from the performances and there's a little bit of nous and experience that could probably help the group.

“Last year they certainly had that in the forward positions and that's been an area where the team has struggled this year.

“I think moving forward, everybody at Sunderland would like to see them bring in an established no.9 who can lead the line.

“I really wish them well, Kyril Dreyfus, I was close to him, we were very honest all the way through so it's no arguments.

“It's ultimately his club and I wish them well."

Wilson Isidor signed for Sunderland in the following summer after Régis Le Bris’ appointment as head coach, with the team now set to compete in the upcoming play-off final against Sheffield United.