Championship

SACKED Sunderland manager Michael Beale may have had a Twitter ‘burner account’, according to a bizarre fan theory.The former Black Cats boss was dismissed on Monday just two months into his two-and-a-half-year contract.
A fan theory believes sacked Sunderland boss Michael Beale had a Twitter ‘burner account’Credit: Reuters
The alleged burner account also posted during Beale’s time as Rangers managerCredit: X formerly Twitter / @Player__id

However, supporters believe they have since discovered a suspicious social media account which defended his managerial record.
Sunderland fan @WhatTheFalkPod uncovered a now deleted account called @Player_id, writing: “Read the posts on this account. Definitely Michael Beale’s burner account innit?”
They later found a post from 2017 which read: “Give @MichaelBeale new business @Player_id a follow and check out the website. You’ll not regret it.”
In response, the fan added: “You mean… it was his burner account?”
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A thread from the Second Tier podcast then revealed further posts from the @Player_id account.
The tweets included one defending Beale for not shaking Trai Hume’s hand during Saturday’s loss to Birmingham.
It claimed he had been watching the game and speaking to another player when he appeared to snub Hume.
Another screenshot also showed the account retweeting a post from a rival fan which asked: “Who in their right mind would want that job?” before his Sunderland sacking.
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Meanwhile, posts from Beale’s time as Rangers boss were dug up as well as a LinkedIn post from the axed manager promoting the PlayerID podcast to further add to the theory.
Beale was sacked by Sunderland on Monday, having reportedly lost the dressing room at the Stadium of Light.
Sky Sports News presenter calls Michael Beale IAN BEALE in spectacular live on-air gaffe
Players are said to have been “particularly unhappy” at being brought in for extra training after one defeat.
At the same time, Beale had taken the day off and was not present at the training ground.
Sunderland have confirmed Mike Dodds will take charge of the side as interim boss until the end of the season.
Michael Beale’s Sunderland spell
Appointed: December 18, 2023
Sacked: February 19, 2024
Matches: 12
Wins: 4
Draws: 2
Defeats: 6
Goals scored: 13
Goals conceded: 16
Win %: 33.3 More

SUNDERLAND sacked Michael Beale after he lost the Stadium of Light dressing room.And it is claimed the players were “particularly unhappy” with his conduct after defeats.
Michael Beale was sacked on Monday after 12 games in charge at SunderlandCredit: Getty
The Black Cats players were said to be annoyed with Beale forcing them in for extra trainingCredit: Getty
Beale, 43, only arrived in the north-east on December 18, replacing Tony Mowbray.
But he lost half of his 12 matches in charge – including his last two away at Huddersfield and then Birmingham, ironically managed by Mowbray.
However, talkSPORT report the squad’s disgust at Beale boiled over after one particular defeat.
That is because Beale is understood to have hauled the players in to do extra training following the loss.
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Incredibly, though, the manager did not go into the training ground and took the day off, prompting fury among the team.
Black Cats fans were already demanding Beale’s sacking at the weekend when he ruthlessly snubbed Trai Hume on the touchline at St Andrew’s.
Hume put his arm out to shake his boss’ hand after being subbed – but was left hanging by the unpopular gaffer.
Less than 48 hours later, though, Beale got the boot just two months into his two-and-a-half-year contract.
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The former Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa coach – who was sacked by Rangers in October – left the club tenth in the Championship table, four points off the play-offs.
Assistant Mike Dodds will take interim charge for the rest of the 2023-24 season.
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Earlier in his tenure, Beale had gone on a spectacular rant about his position as Sunderland chief.
He said: “I replaced a popular manager but I didn’t sack him, did I? And he won two in nine before he left, so are we making out it was all perfect?
“People didn’t want me here in the first place.
“You can say afterwards it’s about style or this and that, but let’s cut to the chase, people didn’t want me.
“The reality is that there wasn’t a feel-good factor about me coming in.
“It’s fine, I’m not crying over it, I’m a big boy, but when people are personal they’ve lost straight away.
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“Look, I can’t change my accent or where I’m from. I’m proud of where I’m from.”
There was also chaos in the recent January transfer window as Alex Pritchard refused to play as he forced a move to Mowbray’s Birmingham.
Michael Beale’s Sunderland spell
Appointed: December 18, 2023
Sacked: February 19, 2024
Matches: 12
Wins: 4
Draws: 2
Defeats: 6
Goals scored: 13
Goals conceded: 16
Win %: 33.3 More

BIRMINGHAM’S players were reportedly left stunned by the news Tony Mowbray is temporarily stepping down as manager.The Blues boss is taking time away from the role due to illness, the club have confirmed.
Tony Mowbray ‘stunned’ his Birmingham players with the news of his illnessCredit: Rex
Mowbray is set to be out of the dugout for six to eight weeks and may not return before the end of the season.
According to the Mirror, his players were shocked by the news after being told on Monday morning,
Players and staff were informed during a private meeting before training.
Birmingham have won four and drawn one of their eight matches since Mowbray’s appointment in January.
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The former Sunderland boss replaced Wayne Rooney as manager just a month after leaving the Black Cats.
He steps down with the Blues 15th in the Championship, six points above the relegation zone after beating his old side on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Steve Cooper has been tipped as a potential long-term replacement at St. Andrew’s.
The 44-year-old is available following his exit from Nottingham Forest in December.
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Steve Cooper is a potential candidate to replace Mowbray long-termCredit: AFP
He is also amongst the favourites for the vacant Sunderland job, though, after Michael Beale’s sacking earlier on Monday.
Reims boss Will Still is also understood to be a leading contender for the role.
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SUNDERLAND have sacked manager Micheal Beale.It is the second time the Black Cats have axed their boss this season after Tony Mowbray was dismissed in December.
Michael Beale has been axed by SunderlandCredit: Getty
Beale lasted just 12 games in charge of the club.
He has overseen four wins, two draws and six losses.
His sacking comes after a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham on Saturday that leaves Sunderland tenth in the table – four points behind the play-off places.
Assistant Mike Dodds will step into the hotseat until the end of the season after his spell as interim earlier this season.
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Pressure has been mounting on Beale in recent weeks with fans fuming at the weekend after he snubbed a handshake with Trai Hume.
As the defender was subbed off in the 87th minute he put his hand out and waited for a high five from his gaffer.
But Beale did not acknowledge him, ignoring the 21-year-old.
The manager has since apologised and claimed he did not see his out-stretched hand.
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Beale previously ranted about fan criticism and jibes from them about his accent.
He said: “I replaced a popular manager but I didn’t sack him, did I? And he won two in nine before he left, so are we making out it was all perfect?
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“People didn’t want me here in the first place.
“You can say afterwards it’s about style or this and that, but let’s cut to the chase, people didn’t want me.
“The reality is that there wasn’t a feelgood factor about me coming in.
“It’s fine, I’m not crying over it, I’m a big boy, but when people are personal they’ve lost straight away.
“Look, I can’t change my accent or where I’m from. I’m proud of where I’m from.”
There was also chaos in the recent January transfer window as Alex Pritchard refused to play as he forced a move to Mowbray’s Birmingham.
Beale’s coaching career began at Chelsea and he had lengthy spell with Liverpool’s academy.
He then formed part of Steven Gerrard’s backroom team as he won the league with Rangers, before following him to Aston Villa.
He quit Villa Park to land his first job in management at QPR in 2022.
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Beale rejected an approach from Wolves and then agreed join Rangers before being sacked after 13 months.
Sunderland welcome Swansea on Saturday as Dodds begins his third spell in temporary charge at the Stadium of Light.
Beale sacked by Sunderland By Tony Robertson
Michael Beale’s time at Sunderland has come to an end after just 12 games. 
Despite his time at the Stadium of Light being brief and bleak, it was packed with plenty of drama.
Beale’s career on Wearside was far from amicable from the start.
The 43-year-old was not in fans best graces even at the time of him taking the job, with many feeling he was an underwhelming appointment.
He snapped back saying: “I replaced a popular manager but I didn’t sack him, did I? 
“And he won two in nine before he left, so are we making out it was all perfect?”
Beale has also butted heads with his players, with Alex Pritchard making himself unavailable for selection at the end of January.
The final straw for the ex-Rangers boss came with his handshake snub of Trai Hume. More

BIRMINGHAM have announced manager Tony Mowbray is stepping away from the club on medical grounds. A club statement said he would be will be absent for six to eight weeks.
Tony Mowbray is stepping away from Birmingham on medical groundsCredit: Rex
Mowbray said it came after a medical assessmentCredit: PA
Mowbray, 60, was appointed to the position on January 8 after the club sacked Wayne Rooney.
A Blues statement said: “Birmingham City can confirm that manager, Tony Mowbray, requires medical treatment which means he will be temporarily stepping away from the on-site management of the club for a period of approximately six to eight weeks.”
Mowbray said the decision came after a health assessment and thanked the club for their help in this time.
He said: “Following my recent LMA Health Assessment I have received a medical diagnosis that will require me to receive treatment.
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“Undergoing treatment will necessitate that I temporarily step away from the technical area as manager of Birmingham City Football Club.
“Until I return, my assistant manager, Mark Venus, will take temporary charge of the team, supported by coaches Ashley Cole, Pete Shuttleworth and Maik Taylor.
“I will continue to provide advice and counsel while undergoing treatment.
“The club has been incredibly supportive of me and my family and we are very grateful. I know that everyone will be respectful of our privacy at this time.”
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Assistant manager Mark Venus will take charge in Mowbray’s absence.
Mowbray previously managed Sunderland but was dismissed by the Black Cats in December.
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Birmingham have won three of their six league games under Mowbray while also picking up a draw against Swansea.
The results rocketed them away from the relegation zone, with Birmingham now on 38 points.
Mowbray’s coaching career has taken him throughout the English football pyramid with gigs at West Brom, Middlesbrough, Coventry and Blackburn.
He has also managed Hibernian and Celtic. More