Sunderland turn to Beale to aid promotion push

Sunderland have appointed Michael Beale as their new head coach until the summer of 2026.

The Black Cats believe the ex-Rangers boss is the right man to lead them back to the Premier League after parting ways with Tony Mowbray earlier this month.

Beale, who left the Gers two months ago, said: "It's a huge honour to be joining the Sunderland family. 

"The existing coaching team deserve huge credit for the way they navigated the interim period. 

"Like all of the staff at the club, they will continue to be vitally important moving forward alongside the incredible fans that make SAFC such a unique club. 

"It's clear there is some excellent work being done at senior and academy level and I'm excited to support those efforts and implement my own ideas as we build on the strong identity already established within the club."

Mowbray guided Sunderland into the play-offs last season but struggled to replicate those standards this term.

However, the recent form of Jobe Bellingham and leadership of temporary boss Mike Dodds mean they still have a shot at promotion.

Ahead of their next game against Coventry at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, the Black Cats sit seventh in the Championship table. 

Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: "We have monitored Michael's career for some time and we are delighted to have reached an agreement for him to become our new head coach. 

"He has an excellent and well-founded reputation for developing players and he is an outstanding progressive coach aligned with our playing identity and naturally fits within our structure alongside Mike and the wider team. 

"We continue to trust in our established process of identifying the right candidates to take us forward at these junctures and although Michael has had a setback, we feel we are getting him at the right time in his coaching journey and our journey as a club."

Beale has previous Championship experience having impressed as QPR boss between June and November 2022 before leaving to take the reins at Ibrox.

Yet his time in Scotland was less successful, failing to win a trophy with Rangers before being sacked after just 10 months in charge.