In an online poll held by The Echo, 1,580 people voted on Michael Beale for Sunderland.
1,580 Sunderland supporters voted on Michael Beale’s nomination as head coach at the Academy of Light.
After stints at Queens Park Rangers and Rangers, Beale has been named Sunderland’s next head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says the club has been watching Beale ‘for some time’ and believes now is the appropriate time for him to join Sunderland following Tony Mowbray’s departure.
Mike Dodds will be elevated to be Beale’s assistant, with Michael Proctor and Alessandro Barcherini remaining in their current positions.
Beale left Rangers earlier this season, and while many fans were disappointed by the news that he would succeed Tony Mowbray, Speakman believes his coaching and development record is appropriate for the club.
The appointment of Beale, on the other hand, has elicited a wide range of reactions from Sunderland fans, with many voicing their views to be published on The Echo’s website. Some have called the move a “backwards step,” while others believe the ex-Rangers man “deserves a chance” after replacing Tony Mowbray.
The Echo also conducted a poll to gauge public opinion on Beale’s initial popularity. We asked supporters on Twitter: What are your thoughts on Michael Beale joining Sunderland? In just a few hours, 1,580 supporters answered, with only 3.7 percent saying they were delighted and 39.2 percent saying they were not. However, 57.1 percent of voters thought Beale should be given a chance at Sunderland.
🗞️ What are your feelings on Michael Beale to Sunderland?#SAFC
— Sunderland Echo SAFC (@sunechosafc) December 18, 2023
On Wednesday night, Beale was at Eppleton CW to watch Sunderland’s under-21s lose 2-1 to Arsenal. The starting XI for the Black Cats included ten first-team players. After coming off the bench for the first team against Bristol City on Saturday, Adil Aouchiche, Bradley Dack, and Eliezer Mayenda all started for Graeme Murty’s side.
After being named on the bench at Ashton Gate over the weekend, goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, Nectarios Triantis, Jenson Seelt, Nazariy Rusyn, and Chelsea loanee Mason Burstow started for the under-21s. Timothee Pembele made his first Sunderland appearance since joining from PSG in the summer, after recovering from a long-term injury setback. Following long-term injuries, Aji Alese and Jay Matete each played 45 minutes.
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