James Copley examines what has transpired and what lies ahead for Michael Beale, who is already under pressure at Sunderland after only seven games.
Outsiders will look at Michael Beale’s seven-game record as Sunderland’s head coach and wonder why fans are already screaming for his dismissal – a classic example of surface aspects not capturing the whole picture.
The unambiguous message of #BealeOut circulated on X (former Twitter) over the weekend following Sunderland’s lacklustre defeat at home to Hull City on Friday, after and during which a portion of supporters chanted for the axe to be swung.
This demand to the board was also extensively disseminated, with the hashtag reaching the top of the trending charts in the United Kingdom on Sunday evening. Beale also didn’t help himself by evading post-game questions about Sunderland fans calling for his dismissal and saying fans should support their youthful team, which went down terribly in the court of public opinion.
Moreover, the popular long-running Sunderland fan podcast, Wise Men Say, ran a poll with a very basic question over the weekend. They asked: “Right, can’t believe we’re here after 7 games, but should #SAFC sack Michael Beale?” Of the 3,694 votes, 91% said they supported Beale’s departure. Only 8.6 percent think the head coach should stay.
It is important to note that one social media poll does not represent the entire fanbase’s thoughts and feelings, and there will be differences in thought process and justification from fan to fan, but there is no doubt that the Wise Men Say’s large response provides a significant snapshot of the mood on Wearside right now, especially given that the response to Beale’s departure was nearly unanimous.
How did Michael Beale get here and is this backlash fair?
You have to feel for Beale on a personal level. The circumstances of his arrival were not ideal. Sunderland fans expected Will Still, Reims’ young and energetic head coach, or someone out of left field. Kim Helberg was also mentioned. Rumours that Sunderland was unwilling to pay compensation to acquire their first choice and instead chose the out-of-work Beale contributed to a disappointing appointment in the view of many.
Beale arrived at Sunderland after failing at Rangers, and rumours of his impressive win percentage with the Glasgow club did little to relieve Sunderland fans’ anxieties. At Rangers, just two things matter: winning trophies and outperforming Celtic. Beale achieved neither and was dismissed. Despite all of this, while disappointed, fans were willing to give Beale a chance, but that initial leash is becoming shorter by the day.
Kristjaan Speakman also stated during his new man’s unveiling that Beale’s training sessions were among the best he had seen. Beale comes from Liverpool and Chelsea and appears to be a good player trainer – but after recent results and Sunderland’s performance regression, fans are rightly questioning whether Beale is suited to being the lead man at a club the size of Sunderland, with his best work coming as a youth coach or Steven Gerrard’s number two. Sunderland’s xG in league games, for example, has decreased in accordance with a simple eye test. Beale’s team has looked significantly poorer since his hiring, and supporters have noticed.
The man who Beale replaced must also be considered. Tony Mowbray was a popular character among the club’s fans, players, and staff. Some were surprised by his dismissal, and many criticised the decision. However, we should not whitewash history; there was vocal support for change among Wearsiders.
Mowbray was fired with Sunderland three points out of the play-offs, with a misunderstanding between head coach and board believed to be the motivating factor. Mowbray has returned to management with Birmingham City, replacing Wayne Rooney, and has made an instant effect, drawing his first league game following a last-minute equaliser, advancing to the FA Cup, and overcoming Stoke City in the Championship last weekend.
Under Beale, Sunderland had only two victories in six league games, a draw against relegation hopefuls Rotherham United, and losses to Hull City, Plymouth Argyle, and Coventry City; any Mowbray success will most certainly be used to beat his replacement. Indeed, having to apologise for his team’s performance in his first match, a 4-0 loss at the Stadium of Light against the Sky Blues, was not ideal.
Then, a timid and impotent Sunderland lost the Wear-Tyne Wear Derby against Newcastle United. In truth, it was always going to be a difficult challenge, but the Black Cats provided little resistance or tactical flexibility and were eventually washed aside. Sunderland rode their luck in their Boxing Day victory over Hull City, with a slice of Jack Clarke magic settling it. Matters improved slightly against Preston North End at the Stadium of Light, but Ryan Lowe’s side provided little resistance.
Also to consider is the general attitude around the club, as well as the impact that Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ severe blunders in handling the Newcastle United game, the Black Cats Bar incident, and overall bad commercial offering are having on fans. These circumstances are not Beale’s fault, of course, but they are significant in terms of influencing the general mood of supporters and producing a perfect storm of rage.
Beale, like Sunderland’s previous two permanent head coaches, Alex Neil and Tony Mowbray, recently stated that the club’s first-team roster requires reinforcements. Beale is constrained by the squad assembled by sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, who is also constrained by the finances of owner Louis Dreyfus. Sunderland desperately needs a goal-scoring striker and an experienced number six. Nonetheless, Sunderland’s performance has declined under Beale.
What happens next for Michael Beale at Sunderland?
Beale was given a two-and-a-half-year contract at the Academy of Light when he was hired, so firing him would cost the club money and would be a blatant admission of a mistake if they choose to act, thus his dismissal in the short term does not appear imminent, despite fan desire.
Beale faces a critical few weeks with Sunderland. The Black Cats face Stoke City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, and with a chance for the manager to reclaim some credibility, a convincing performance and result are essential for openers. Sunderland fans will always support the team, but they will expect a significant improvement over recent performances.
Sunderland will play Middlesbrough at the Riverside eight days later. Although not on the same level as the Wear-Tyne rivalry, a meeting versus the Teessiders carries some added significance. If Steven Schumacher and Michael Carrick, two highly regarded young coaches who are performing well, manage to outperform Beale with convincing tactical displays, Louis-Dreyfus and Speakman may be forced to make a decision.
In short, only wins and performances will kick start Beale’s redemption arc and it is worth reiterating that he needs help in the transfer market with Sunderland’s shortcomings glaringly obvious for some time now. At present, however, it is hard to see how Beale’s long-term popularity on Wearside will ever recover barring a huge improvement. His start to life in the city has mirrored that of Phil Parkinson in 2019; who, after a brief upturn in form, was ultimately axed after 48 games. Will Beale last that long? Time will tell.
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