Championship

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

RUSSELL MARTIN’S Premier League hopefuls Southampton want to win the race for Sunderland star Jack Clarke.Saints are planning a £15million bid for the Championship superstar winger, 23.
Jack Clarke is wanted by several Premier League clubsCredit: Alamy
Ex-Spurs ace Clarke wants another crack at the top flight and will be open to a move if the Black Cats do not go up.
Sunderland may have to cash in on their best player, who is also liked by Brentford.
While West Ham were heavily tipped to make a January bid for the 15-goal star.
Crystal Palace are also monitoring Clarke and could make an approach this summer, particularly if Michael Olise leaves.
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Even Serie A giants Lazio have taken an interest and reportedly submitted a £15m offer last month.
Tottenham have a 25 per cent sell-on clause which could affect Sunderland’s valuation of their star man.
Saints also have a £15m deal in place for centre-half Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
The Manchester City star, 22, is on loan at St Mary’s but that will turn into a full-time deal at the big price if Southampton go up this season.
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Martin’s side are two points an automatic promotion place but have a game in hand over second-placed Leeds.
Their 25-game unbeaten run was ended by Bristol City last week but they bounced back by beating West Brom 2-0 on Friday.
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CRYSTAL PALACE supremo Steve Parish held a ‘secret’ meeting with Oliver Glasner in a London hotel hideaway.But as chairman Parish talked through the Palace job with the No. 1 candidate on Friday night, he was spotted by guests — including the Sheffield Wednesday squad!
Roy Hodgson’s days at Crystal Palace are seemingly numberedCredit: PA
Palace are seemingly on course to have Oliver Glasner replace the veteran manager in the dugout at Selhurst ParkCredit: PA
Steve Parish held a secret meeting with Glasner while Hodgson was still in hospitalCredit: rex
It was the first face-to-face meeting between Parish and Glasner and came while Eagles boss Roy Hodgson was still in hospital.
Glasner, 49, even attended Tottenham’s 2-1 home defeat to Wolves yesterday — a possible scouting trip with Palace facing Spurs on March 2.
Parish seems set to replace Hodgson with Glasner — the choice of major shareholder John Textor — as he is available and keen to take on the challenge at Selhurst Park.
Veteran Hodgson, 76, was willing to leave his sick bed and head for Goodison to help in the crucial game against Everton tomorrow.
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Hodgson collapsed at training on Thursday morning and had to go for checks but within hours he was offering to be available for the clash.
The former England boss was prepared to travel on the day and play a role either from the dugout or, more likely, the directors’ box.
Yet Hodgson will have further talks with Parish about his plans and will also wait for word on his health checks.
Talk was rife about Hodgson being sacked on Thursday but Parish did not speak to him before checking on his welfare later that day.
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Roy Hodgson’s record at Palace
2017-21Games 162Win percentage 33%Goals per game 1.2Goals conceded per game 1.5
2023-24Games 38Win percentage 32%Goals per game 1.3Goals conceded per game 1.6

Parish wanted Hodgson to be in charge at Everton despite being pushed to make a decision and appoint Glasner.
The Owls, who faced Millwall in the Championship yesterday, were also staying at the Hilton Hotel in Greenwich where Parish met Austrian coach Glasner and his camp and spotted the pair.
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And the former Eintracht Frankfurt is favoured by Textor who tried and failed to take him to Lyon earlier in the season.
Glasner decided against the move to France but is keen on the Premier League.
Parish also shortlisted Steve Cooper and Julen Lopetegui as emergency replacements — despite rumours both were keen in the right circumstances.
However, Glasner is a free agent and cheap in terms of wage demands and budget needs.
Glasner is clearly keen to get started with the job at hand after being out of work since leaving Eintracht Frankfurt in June 2023.
And on his Instagram page last week he posted a video in German in which he spoke about the challenges of taking over a new club.
The caption for the post to his 31,000 followers read: “What are the first tasks as a coach at a new football club?” More