Sunderland appear to have identified their desired successor to Tony Mowbray

Michael Beale, a 43-year-old former manager of QPR and Rangers, is reportedly in advanced talks to join Sunderland. Beale may be there at Ashton Gate on Saturday to see the Black Cats play Bristol City.

Following Tony Mowbray’s sacking earlier this month, Sunderland will play their third game under caretaker manager Mike Dodds on Saturday. Under the 37-year-old, the team has already defeated Leeds United and West Brom.

In the long run, nevertheless, it seems the Black Cats have decided that Beale is

their top choice after consulting with several managers, including Will Still,

the manager of Reims. However, The Athletic reports that they have decided to

look elsewhere due to the high cost of hiring the 31-year-old.

After working in the Liverpool academy, Beale assisted Steven Gerrard in Glasgow and Aston Villa. However, in 2022, he

took on his first managerial position at QPR, briefly taking the west London

team to the top of the Championship after eight wins in an 11-match run.

After just five months in the role, Beale left for Ibrox.

After Rangers fell seven points short of Celtic on October 1, he was fired. Since

then, he has been connected to several Championship positions.

Dodds stated in a statement on Thursday that he will be in the dugout on Saturday, when Sunderland is seven points clear of

City in the Championship and sitting sixth. “I know the procedure in terms of

what’s happened, what’s happening, and that’s where I am,” Dodds remarked.

I’m aware of what’s happening and feel at ease knowing that the club will notify

me when they make a decision about what to do; nevertheless, from my

perspective, it’s above my pay grade to respond to any questions beyond that.

“The original idea was to play the two games [West Brom and Leeds]. I have plans for this Saturday’s game as well as

one beyond that, which is against Coventry on Saturday of next week.

Thus, it’s basically business as usual for me until the football team tells me

differently, and I understand that this seems like a canned response.”