Sunderland AFC news: Everything Michael Beale and Kristjaan Speakman said during first press conference
and live on Freeview channel 276
Beale has been appointed Sunderland's new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract. Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman says the club have been monitoring him 'for some time' and that now feels it is the right moment for him to join Sunderland following the departure of Tony Mowbray.
The club have also confirmed that Mike Dodds will be promoted to become Beale's assistant, with Michael Proctor and Alessandro Barcherini remaining in their current roles. Beale left Rangers earlier this season and though many fans have been left underwhelmed with the news that he will become Tony Mowbray's successor, Speakman says his coaching and development record is right for the club.
Here, though, we’ll bring you live updates from the Academy of Light as Sunderland prepares to face Coventry City at the Stadium of Light:
Michael Beale's first Sunderland press conference ahead of Coventry City
Key Events
- Michael Beale is due to face the press for the first time as Sunderland boss
- The former Rangers man has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract at the club
- Sunderland play Coventry City in the Championship at the Stadium of Light on Saturday
Beale on Rangers
Congratulates his former side for winning the cup last weekend. Says it wasn't nice to be sacked but that he has learned a lot from it.
Michael Beale
Sunderland's new coach says the opportunity is a fantastic one but there is a lot of work to be done. Says its been a busy few days.
Kristjaan Speakman is also expected...
Sunderland's sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is also expected to appear alongside the club's new head coach.
Michael Beale is expected soon...
Sunderland's new head coach Michael Beale is expected in front of journalists at 3:30...
What Kristjaan Speakman and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus said about Michael Beale
"We have monitored Michael’s career for some time and we are delighted to have reached an agreement for him to become our new Head Coach," Speakman said.
"He has an excellent and well-founded reputation for developing players and he is an outstanding progressive coach, who is aligned with our playing identity and naturally fits within our structure alongside Mike Dodds and the wider team. We continue to trust in our established process of identifying the right candidates to take us forward at these junctures and although Michael has had a setback, we feel we are getting him at the right time in his coaching journey and our journey as a Club.”
Chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus said that he had become convinced during his conversations with Beale that he shared his vision for creating a 'high-performance culture' at the club.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Michael to our club and wish him every success here at the Stadium of Light," Louis-Dreyfus said.
"Throughout our discussions, it was clear that he shares our ideals on implementing a high-performance culture and he is committed to a playing style that we feel is central to our progress. I would also like to place on record my gratitude to Mike Dodds and our coaching team for not only leading us through the interim period but for adopting a bold and creative approach that inspired memorable back-to-back wins. Alongside Michael, I truly believe our people will continue to drive the Club forward as we enter 2024 with renewed energy, excitement and optimism.”