Michael Beale delivers most candid reflections yet on Sunderland spell and what went wrong

Michael Beale has delivered his most candid reflections on his spell at Sunderland yet, and said that believes the current squad can reach the play offs if they sign a striker between now and the end of the transfer window.

Beale has admitted that his time on Wearside was the only job he has not enjoyed in football, but said he wished the club all the best. A controversial pick to replace Tony Mowbray amongst fans, the former Rangers boss struggled to convince during a brief but fractious spell in charge.

After just 63 days and 12 games in charge, he finally left after expressing regret to Trai Hume for not shaking his hand after his substitution in a loss to Birmingham City. An FA Cup loss to Newcastle United and some contentious remarks in the press had already damaged his term.

In a lengthy interview with the “Mindset for Sport” YouTube channel, Beale discussed the difficulties of operating without a senior striker and the inability to find a support staff member. Beale talked on the effects of his own personal circumstances at the time as well.

Built on wide players Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts, with full backs Niall Huggins and Trai Hume covering them, Sunderland was remarkably similar to the QPR team, according to Beale.

QPR was built the same, that was the style of play with a young squad. I went in there with the optimism of that. I went in there on my own as well, I didn’t start until maybe the 19th, 20th December and we had four games in ten days. So the agreement was always that I would bring in an assistant at a later date, that never materialised. The key thing in the discussions I had with the club before going in and the owner, who is a really good guy, was that the team needed a striker. They’d won two of nine games under Tony Mowbray before but had a lot of the ball, that continued in my [tenure]. We won four, drew two and lost five of eleven. It was clear from the moment I went in that the fans were not aligned with the decision to let Tony Mowbray go. It was difficult, if I’m honest, the only club where I’ve not enjoyed working. It’s just a feeling, I think everyone went in with the right intentions but it wasn’t the right fit, I was a bit perplexed coming infrom the outside because the people that made the decision to bring me in, they have to consider all of that. They were very keen to bring me in, I went in with all the intentions of working with the staff there but to bring one of my own in as well. It hurt that one, because there’s only really so much one person can do in eight weeks. There’s things I could have done better but the environment I went into, it was difficult, it’s not how you’d want to go into a club. Eight weeks is short but I think it was best for all parties not to prolong it.

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