Michael Beale (football coach) explained

Michael Beale
Birth Date:4 September 1980
Birth Place:Bromley, London, England
Currentclub:Al-Ettifaq (assistant)
Youthyears1:1998–2001
Youthclubs1:Charlton Athletic
Manageryears1:2022
Managerclubs1:Queens Park Rangers
Manageryears2:2022–2023
Managerclubs2:Rangers
Manageryears3:2023–2024
Managerclubs3:Sunderland

Michael Beale (born 4 September 1980) is an English football manager who is currently assistant manager of Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.[1]

Beale played football as a youth, but retired at 21 and became a coach. He worked for Chelsea, Liverpool and São Paulo. After stints working as first team coach with Steven Gerrard at Rangers and Aston Villa, Beale became manager of Queens Park Rangers in June 2022. He left QPR after five months to become manager of Rangers, but was sacked from that role in October 2023. Beale subsequently joined Sunderland in December 2023, lasting 12 games in charge, before being sacked in February 2024. Beale was appointed assistant manager of Al-Ettifaq by Steven Gerrard in November 2024.

Playing career

Beale's playing career started at Charlton Athletic and, after being released by Charlton, he had short trials at Twente in the Netherlands, and at clubs in the United States, before calling an end to his playing days at the age of 21.[2]

Coaching career

Beale's next step in football was to invest some of the money he had made as a youth player into setting up a futsal club for children in his hometown of Bromley, South London.[3] It was while training children here that he caught the attention of Chelsea Academy boss Neil Bath who, in 2002, offered him a role as a part-time youth coach at their Cobham Training Centre,[4] where he worked as assistant coach of Chelsea's Under-7s and Under-9s squads.

After admitting to becoming somewhat frustrated with the lack of progression of young players into Chelsea's first team since the takeover of Roman Abramovich in 2003, Beale took an offer to work at the Liverpool Academy, beginning as the coach of the Under-15s team, before progressing to become coach of the Under-21s. It was in this role that Beale first worked alongside Steven Gerrard, who was coaching the Liverpool Under-18s at the time.[5]

In January 2017, Beale, who was a long-time fan of South American football, accepted the opportunity to move to Brazilian club São Paulo, learning Portuguese to act as assistant to Rogério Ceni.[6] However, six months later, Ceni and his backroom team were sacked after a string of poor results.[7]

After a short time back working with Liverpool's youth set-up, Beale was contacted by Steven Gerrard to act as the first team coach at Rangers. In three years in Scotland under Gerrard, Beale and Gary McAllister, Rangers won their 55th league title in the 2020–21 league season preventing city rivals Celtic from winning a tenth successive league title.[8]

In November 2021, Gerrard was offered the role of manager at Aston Villa, following the sacking of Dean Smith. Beale and McAllister followed him.[9]

Managerial career

Queens Park Rangers

On 1 June 2022, Beale was appointed first team coach at Championship side Queens Park Rangers.[10] [11]

He had a mixed start to his career at QPR; winning only one of his first five matches, losing at home to Blackpool (who were eventually relegated that same season) and only securing a point at Sunderland thanks to the last minute heroics of Ilias Chair and Seny Dieng, both of whom scored in injury time to rescue an unlikely point.

Beale and QPR then found a superb run of form, winning eight of their next eleven league matches, sending them to the top of the Championship table. However, this form was proven to be temporary as they went on to lose four of their next five matches. They were well beaten at Birmingham and Coventry as well as losing at home to Huddersfield and West Brom.

With QPR top of the Championship in October 2022, Beale was approached by Wolverhampton Wanderers to become their new manager, but reportedly turned them down.[12] Upon turning down the opportunity to become manager at Wolves, Beale spoke about integrity and loyalty in an interview for the QPR website: "Integrity is a real big thing for me and loyalty. You don't give it to receive it back, but if those are the things you live by then at times when you are put in a position you have to be strong by them."

Rangers

On 28 November 2022, Beale accepted an approach to leave QPR and manage Scottish side Rangers, where he had worked previously as the first team coach under Steven Gerrard.[13] Beale had a successful start to his Rangers managerial career, winning his first four matches in charge, after which he was named Scottish Premiership manager of the month for December.[14] Two defeats at Hampden by Celtic meant that Rangers finished the 2022–23 season without a trophy. Beale was sacked on 1 October 2023, after a third defeat in the first seven league matches of the 2023–24 season.[15]

Sunderland

On, Beale was appointed as head coach of Sunderland on a contract until the Summer of 2026.[16] [17] [18] Beale said joining the club was a "huge honour"[17] [19] [20] and a "fantastic opportunity",[21] [22] praising the "alignment" within the club and of its and his philosophies.[23] [24] [25] On, Sunderland lost to an out-of-form Hull City, marking a third successive defeat and the fourth defeat in Beale's first seven fixtures as head coach.[26] [27] [28] After this loss, Beale was met with widespread criticism from Sunderland supporters, including calls for his dismissal.[29] [30] [31]

During a press conference held on 26 January 2024, Beale criticsed the "negativity" and "lack of respect" he said he had received from Sunderland supporters during his tenure.[32] [33] [34] On 17 February, the pressure on Beale further increased after Sunderland lost 2-1 to Birmingham City, who were being managed by Beale's predecessor as Sunderland head coach, Tony Mowbray.[35] [36] [37] In the same match, Beale seemingly ignored an attempted handshake from Sunderland defender Trai Hume, leading to more criticism from Sunderland fans.[38] [39] [40]

On, Sunderland sacked Beale.[41] [42] He was head coach for and oversaw 12 games,[43] [44] the shortest managerial stint in Sunderland's history.[41] During his 12 games in charge of Sunderland, they won 4 games, drew 2 games, and lost 6 games, and scored 13 goals while conceding 16 goals.[45] [46] After his sacking, Beale was accused of using an anonymous "burner" account on Twitter during his tenure.[47] [48] [49] The account had retweeted posts defending him and criticising the Sunderland fans and owners.[50] [51] [52]

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamFromToRecord
Queens Park Rangers1 June 202228 November 2022[53]
Rangers28 November 20221 October 2023
Sunderland18 December 202319 February 2024
Total—

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ex-Sunderland boss Beale joins Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq. BBC Sports. 21 November 2024. 21 November 2024.
  2. Web site: Hutton . Ross . 2020-02-15 . The Road to Rangers - Michael Beale . 2022-05-27 . Heart and Hand . en-GB.
  3. News: Meet the man behind Gerrard's success . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-05-27.
  4. Web site: Who is Michael Beale? The ex-Chelsea and Liverpool coach playing a key role in Gerrard's managerial career Goal.com . 2022-05-27 . www.goal.com.
  5. Web site: Preece . Ashley . 2022-05-26 . Villa coach Michael Beale favourite to land vacant QPR manager job . 2022-05-27 . BirminghamLive . en.
  6. Web site: Henson . Mike . 2017-02-13 . Michael Beale interview: The Liverpool coach who moved to Sao Paulo . 2022-05-27 . The Set Pieces . en-GB.
  7. Web site: 2017-07-03 . Sao Paulo sack Rogerio Ceni after six months . 2022-05-27 . ESPN.com.
  8. Web site: Townley . John . 2021-11-12 . Michael Beale confirms Rangers future amid Aston Villa speculation . 2022-05-27 . BirminghamLive . en.
  9. Web site: Steven Gerrard: Rangers manager appointed Aston Villa head coach on three-and-a-half-year deal . 2022-05-27 . Sky Sports . en.
  10. Web site: Webb . Matt . 1 June 2022 . Michael Beale named QPR head coach . 2022-06-01 . QPR . en.
  11. Web site: 1 June 2022 . Aston Villa confirm Michael Beale departure . 2022-06-01 . Aston Villa Football Club.
  12. News: Stone . Simon . 20 October 2022 . Davis to stay in charge of Wolves until 2023 . BBC Sport .
  13. News: Michael Beale: Rangers appoint former assistant as manager as he leaves QPR . BBC Sport . BBC . 28 November 2022.
  14. News: MICHAEL BEALE NAMED MANAGER OF THE MONTH . Rangers.co.uk . Rangers Football Club . 6 January 2023.
  15. Web site: Rangers: Michael Beale sacked as manager after third Scottish Premiership loss . BBC Sport . 1 October 2023 . 1 October 2023.
  16. Web site: Ex-Rangers boss Beale named Sunderland head coach . BBC Sport . 18 December 2023 . https://archive.today/20231218153938/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67730543 . 18 Dec 2023 . 18 December 2023 . live.
  17. Web site: Sunderland appoint Michael Beale as manager until summer 2026 . The Guardian . 18 December 2023 . https://archive.today/20231218154737/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/dec/18/sunderland-appoint-michael-beale-as-manager-until-summer-2026 . 18 December 2023 . en-GB . 18 December 2023 . live.
  18. Web site: Michael Beale: Sunderland confirm appointment of ex-Rangers boss as new head coach . Sky Sports . 18 December 2023 . https://archive.today/20231218154732/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/13033381/michael-beale-sunderland-confirm-appointment-of-ex-rangers-boss-as-new-head-coach . 18 December 2023 . en . live.
  19. Web site: Michael Beale on becoming new Sunderland AFC head coach . . 3 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241102235306/https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cqe128mzvjqo . 2 Nov 2024 . en . 18 December 2023 . live.
  20. Web site: Phil Smith . Phil Smith . Micheal Beale's first words after being confirmed as Sunderland's new head coach . . 3 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20231218170412/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/micheal-beales-first-words-after-being-confirmed-as-sunderlands-new-head-coach-4450378 . 18 Dec 2023 . en . 18 Dec 2023 . live.
  21. Web site: Chandy . Alex . Read: Talking points from Michael Beale's first presser . . 3 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241103024345/https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2023/december/coventry-city/talking-points-michael-beale-first-presser . 3 November 2024 . en . 20 December 2023 . live.
  22. Web site: New Sunderland head coach Michael Beale explains reasons for joining the club . . 3 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241031112514/https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2023-12-20/new-sunderland-head-coach-michael-beale-explains-reasons-for-joining-club . 31 Oct 2024 . en . 20 December 2023 . live.
  23. Web site: Buckingham . Philip . Sunderland's Michael Beale: 'I want to be the coach, not the manager of the whole club' . . 3 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241031203620/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5152201/2023/12/21/michael-beale-sunderland-coach/ . 31 Oct 2024 . en . 21 Dec 2023 . live.
  24. Web site: Wilson . Scott . Sunderland's 'model' explained as Beale & Speakman discuss recruitment and selection . . 3 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241031112946/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/24005257.michael-beale-kristjaan-speakman-explain-the-model-sunderland/ . 31 Oct 2024 . en . 22 December 2023 . live.
  25. Web site: Copley . James . Michael Beale explains Rangers failure and tells Sunderland fans what to expect . . 3 November 2024 . https://archive.today/20241103015220/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/michael-beale-explains-rangers-failure-and-tells-sunderland-fans-what-to-expect-4451161 . 3 Nov 2024 . en . 19 Dec 2023 . live.
  26. Web site: Boos for Beale as Carvalho fires Hull into top six with victory at Sunderland . . 26 January 2024 . https://archive.today/20240126185119/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/jan/19/fabio-carvalho-fires-hull-into-top-six-with-victory-at-sunderland . 2024-01-26 . en . 19 January 2024 . live.
  27. Web site: Lanigan . Adam . Hull go sixth as Carvalho seals win at Sunderland . . 26 January 2024 . https://archive.today/20240126185107/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67954095 . 2024-01-26 . en . 19 January 2024 . live.
  28. Web site: Wilson . Scott . Michael Beale responds to Sunderland fans after he was jeered during Hull home loss . . 26 January 2024 . https://archive.today/20240126185106/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/24063105.michael-beale-responds-sunderland-fans-hull-city-defeat/ . 2024-01-26 . en . 19 January 2024 . live.
  29. Web site: Copley . James . Sunderland boss Michael Beale faces huge week amid backlash and staggering fan poll calling for his sacking . . 26 January 2024 . https://archive.today/20240122163348/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/sunderland-boss-michael-beale-faces-huge-week-amid-backlash-and-staggering-fan-poll-calling-for-his-sacking-4487406 . 2024-01-22 . en . 2024-01-22 . live.
  30. Web site: Wilson . Scott . Sunderland fans turn on Michael Beale during home defeat to Hull City . . 26 January 2024 . https://archive.today/20240126132759/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/24063093.sunderland-0-hull-city-1-black-cats-fans-turn-michael-beale/ . 2024-01-26 . en . 19 January 2024 . live.
  31. Web site: Smith . Phil . Michael Beale hits out at Sunderland 'negativity' and 'lack of respect' in remarkable press conference . . 26 January 2024 . https://archive.today/20240126132703/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/michael-beale-hits-out-at-sunderland-negativity-and-lack-of-respect-ahead-of-stoke-4493856 . 2024-01-26 . en . 2024-01-26 . live.
  32. Web site: Bird . Simon . Michael Beale defends his accent in explosive blast at Sunderland fans . . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241030223230/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/sunderland-michael-beale-sack-accent-31972003 . 30 October 2024 . en . 26 January 2024 . live.
  33. Web site: Graham . Michael . Michael Beale stunning Sunderland rant deconstructed . Sunderland On SI . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241030222411/https://www.si.com/soccer/sunderland/opinion/michael-beale-stunning-sunderland-rant-deconstructed . 30 October 2024 . en . 26 January 2024 . live.
  34. Web site: Smith . Phil . Michael Beale hits out at Sunderland 'negativity' and 'lack of respect' in remarkable press conference . . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20240126132703/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/michael-beale-hits-out-at-sunderland-negativity-and-lack-of-respect-ahead-of-stoke-4493856 . 26 Jan 2024 . en . 26 Jan 2024 . live.
  35. Web site: Birmingham City 2-1 Sunderland: Tony Mowbray's Blues turn it round to beat old club . . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20240222152323/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68259658 . 22 Feb 2024 . en . 17 February 2024 . live.
  36. Web site: Birmingham City 2-1 Sunderland: Tony Mowbray's Blues earn comeback win . . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241030215459/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13073123/birmingham-city-2-1-sunderland-tony-mowbrays-blues-earn-comeback-win . 30 October 2024 . en . 17 February 2024 . live.
  37. Web site: Fan Letters: "Michael Beale has lost the support of the Sunderland fans!" . . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241030215746/https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2024/2/18/24075883/fan-letters-michael-beale-has-lost-the-support-of-the-sunderland-fans . 30 October 2024 . en . 18 February 2024 . live.
  38. Web site: Calcutt . Robert . Beale responds as video appears to show him snubbing Sunderland star's handshake . . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20240222151908/https://talksport.com/football/1753751/michael-beale-handshake-snub-trai-hume-sunderland/ . 22 Feb 2024 . en-gb . 17 February 2024 . live.
  39. Web site: Smith . Phil . Michael Beale issues Trai Hume apology and explains handshake 'snub' after Sunderland defeat . . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20240222154821/https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/beale-explains-trai-hume-handshake-snub-during-birmingham-defeat-4522768 . 22 Feb 2024 . en . 17 Feb 2024 . live.
  40. Web site: Amofa . Richard . EFL stories you may have missed: Beale's handshake snub, Fletcher's nightmare cameo . . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241031013952/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5283972/2024/02/19/efl-sunderland-derby-sheffield-wednesday/ . 31 October 2024 . en . 19 Feb 2024 . live.
  41. Web site: Sunderland sack head coach Beale after 12 games . . 19 February 2024 . https://archive.today/20240219164245/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68340952 . 19 February 2024 . en . 19 February 2024 . live.
  42. Web site: Taylor . Louise . Sunderland sack head coach Michael Beale after two months in charge . . 19 February 2024 . https://archive.today/20240219164027/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/feb/19/sunderland-sack-head-coach-michael-beale-after-two-months-in-charge . 19 February 2024 . en . 19 February 2024 . live.
  43. Web site: Twigg . Sonia . Michael Beale sacked by Sunderland after just 12 games in charge . . 19 February 2024 . https://archive.today/20240219164736/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/michael-beale-sunderland-manager-sacked-b2498657.html . 19 February 2024 . en . 19 February 2024 . live.
  44. Web site: Michael Beale sacked as Sunderland head coach after just two months in charge . . 19 February 2024 . https://archive.today/20240219170835/https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2024-02-19/michael-beale-sacked-by-sunderland-after-63-days-in-charge . 19 February 2024 . en . 19 February 2024 . live.
  45. Web site: Michael Beale Latest Betting Odds Soccer Base . Soccerbase . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241030221443/https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=6197 . 30 October 2024 . en . live.
  46. Web site: Michael Beale :: Michael Beale :: Manager :: Statistics :: Titles :: Titles (in-depth) :: Career :: Fixtures :: News & Features :: Videos :: Photos :: playmakerstats.com . www.playmakerstats.com . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241030224902/https://www.playmakerstats.com/manager/michael-beale/18280/history-by-season . 30 October 2024 . en . live.
  47. Web site: Morgan . Tom . Sacked Sunderland manager Michael Beale accused of using anonymous X account to hit back at critics . . 22 February 2024 . https://archive.today/20240220203809/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/02/20/michael-beale-anonymous-online-account-critics-sunderland/ . 2024-02-20 . en . 20 February 2024 . live.
  48. Web site: Youlton . Clive . Michael Beale 'burner account' claims emerge after Sunderland sacking . . 22 February 2024 . https://archive.today/20240222150443/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/michael-beale-burner-account-claims-28681938 . 2024-02-22 . en . 22 February 2024 . live.
  49. Web site: O'Brien . Sean . Sacked Sunderland manager Beale facing bizarre accusation over 'burner account' . . https://archive.today/20240222150952/https://talksport.com/football/1757401/sunderland-michael-beale-burner-account/ . 22 Feb 2024 . en-gb . 20 February 2024 . live.
  50. Web site: Buckingham . Philip . How Michael Beale's Sunderland reign unravelled in 63 days . . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20240819143447/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5288320/2024/02/21/michael-beale-sunderland-63-days-sacked/ . 19 Aug 2024 . en . 21 Feb 2024 . live.
  51. Web site: Holt . Matthew . Has a Sunderland fan account just discovered a secret Michael Beale social account posting pro-Beale tweets? . . 22 February 2024 . https://archive.today/20240222150629/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/has-a-sunderland-fan-account-just-discovered-a-secret-michael-beale-social-account-posting-pro-beale-tweets . 2024-02-22 . en . 20 February 2024 . live.
  52. Web site: Boyle . Callum . Sunderland fans claim Michael Beale roasted 'toxic fans' and owners on burner account . . 30 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241030225850/https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland-fans-claim-michael-beale-roasted-toxic-fans-and-owners-on-burner-account-422619 . 30 October 2024 . en . 20 Feb 2024 . live.
  53. https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=6197 Managers: Michael Beale

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