Michael Beale spoke about his time at Sunderland during a recent podcast appearance
Former Sunderland head coach Michael Beale has once again reflected on his exit from the club, claiming that he feels “no animosity” and that he is “so pleased” to see the Black Cats back in the Premier League.
The 44-year-old spent a brief, ill-fated tenure on Wearside a couple of seasons ago, taking charge of a dozen matches between December 2023 and February 2024 before leaving his post. Mike Dodds then assumed the head coach role on an interim basis until the end of the campaign, with the club eventually finishing 16th in the Championship table.
Alongside a series of on-field struggles, Beale and his family also endured a difficult time in their personal lives too during his stint in the North East, with his young niece Poppy suffering a relapse in her battle against leukaemia. In response, supporters orchestrated a minute-long ovation during a 3-1 home victory over Plymouth Argyle in tribute to the four-year-old.
And while on a professional level, Beale’s tenure at the Stadium of Light went on to end on a sour note, he has suggested that he bears no ill will towards the Black Cats following his departure.
What has Michael Beale said about his Sunderland exit?
Speaking on a new episode of the Business of Sport podcast, Beale said: “My last two home games there, we won both 3-1. They did a fantastic thing, the Sunderland fans, for my niece, who was unwell at the time with leukaemia. They did an applause and the way they were towards me.
“But the feeling of the fans towards the appointment wasn’t right. And so, I don’t know. I think they had a really good affinity for the previous coach [Tony Mowbray], and I actually took that as a good thing. I have no animosity towards Sunderland. Certainly, all the fans, the fans voice their feelings, and they have every right to do that. But at the same time, when my family was going through something difficult, they showed a huge amount of care and empathy just a week before I left.”
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Beale also went on to suggest that a number of the measures brought in during his time at the club have since gone on to serve Sunderland well in their subsequent successes under current boss Regis Le Bris.
He added: “Some of the things that we implemented and spoke about, they did go and they’ve said it on record, and the next year has been brilliant for them. And I’m so pleased for the people, people inside the club that are finally back in the Premier League.”
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