Michael Beale is set to be appointed Sunderland’s new head coach after entering into advanced talks with the Championship club.
Beale, the 43-year-old Londoner whose last job was in charge of Scottish Premiership side Rangers, could be in the stands at Sunderland’s game at Bristol City today.
Caretaker Mike Dodds has been preparing the players for that trip, with Sunderland sixth in the table after securing back-to-back wins over West Brom and Leeds since Tony Mowbray’s sacking.
The Black Cats were also heavily linked with Reims boss Will Still as they searched for a successor.
That potential appointment excited fans due to Still’s profile having grown in recent times. But Beale, who also managed QPR in the Championship, is now close to being confirmed and he hopes he will be allowed an influential say in future signings.
Michael Beale has a spell in the Championship with QPR before a short-lived stint with Rangers
Tony Mowbray was sacked by the Championship club after a 1-1 draw with Millwall earlier this month
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Beale was Steven Gerrard’s No 2 at Rangers and Aston Villa before leaving his side to take the QPR job in June 2022.
He won just nine of 22 games with the Rs but then 31 of 43 in Scotland with Rangers before being sacked in October.