Michael Beale has been sacked as Sunderland head coach after just two months in the role.
The 43-year-old former QPR and Rangers boss, who replaced Tony Mowbray at the Stadium of Light helm on December 18, has lost his job just 12 games into his reign following successive Sky Bet Championship defeats to Huddersfield and Birmingham.
Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman told the club’s official website: “We are disappointed that Michael is leaving Sunderland AFC.
“Our desire is to improve and unfortunately that hasn’t been evident, as such we take full accountability and feel that acting decisively is in the best interests of the club.
“This has been a difficult few months for Michael, who leaves with our best wishes for the future.”
Assistant Mike Dodds will take charge of the team for the remainder of the season.
Speakman continued: “Our focus is now on the players and supporting Mike Dodds in the remaining games to ensure we achieve the highest possible league finish. We will be updating our supporters further as and when significant developments are made.”
Beale, who worked under Steven Gerrard as he guided Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title in 2021, walked into something of a storm on Wearside as fans disappointed by Mowbray’s departure and less than enamoured with his replacement vented their frustrations.
His suggestion that he was not liked by the supporters because he was a cockney did little to calm the waters, and results on the pitch did not help him either.
In all, he won only four of the games for which he was in the dugout and lost six, one of them a tame 3-0 home defeat by arch rivals Newcastle in the FA Cup third round.
Beale courted further criticism at the weekend when he appeared to snub substitute Trai Hume’s handshake as he left the pitch at St Andrew’s, but later apologised and insisted he had not been aware he had done so.
Sunderland currently sit 10th in the table, four points adrift of the play-off places with 13 games remaining.
They reached the semi-finals under Mowbray last season after finishing sixth in their first season back in the second tier, eventually going down 3-2 on aggregate to Luton, who beat Coventry on penalties in the final to reach the top flight.
Chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus now faces the task of identifying the fourth new manager since he inherited Lee Johnson when he bought into the club in 2021 having replaced the incumbent with Alex Neil, who left for Stoke in the wake of promotion and opened the door for Mowbray.
Pochettino appointed new United States head coach
Mauricio Pochettino has officially been appointed as the United States' new head coach following the departure of Gregg Berhalter.
Berhalter was fired after overseeing a miserable home campaign at the Copa America, where a shock defeat to Panama sent the USA crashing out in the group stage.
Pochettino was quickly reported to be a surprise contender for the role, having left Chelsea following a single season in charge.
The Argentine – who previously enjoyed a successful five-year spell in charge of Tottenham, leading them to the 2018-19 Champions League final – oversaw a sixth-placed Premier League finish in his only campaign at Stamford Bridge.
He has now agreed to lead the USA into a home World Cup in 2026, as they prepare to co-host the tournament alongside neighbours Canada and Mexico.
Pochettino told the U.S. Soccer website: "The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn't just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on.
"The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me.
"The opportunity to lead the U.S. men's national team in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players is something I couldn't pass up.
"I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of."
Pochettino's first game in charge will be a friendly versus Panama at the Q2 Stadium in Austin on October 12, with a meeting with Mexico scheduled three days later.
"Hiring Mauricio is a step forward in our mission to compete at the highest level and make a lasting mark on the global soccer landscape," said U.S. Soccer chief executive JT Batson.
"His deep knowledge of the game, his commitment to developing talent, and his relentless drive for excellence are exactly what we need as we prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
"Mauricio understands the unique potential of this team and this country, and he shares our belief that U.S. Soccer is on the cusp of something truly special."
Bellamy earns maiden Wales win in 'toughest game of his career'
Craig Bellamy praised his players for overcoming some of the toughest conditions he has witnessed to earn him his first win as Wales head coach against Montenegro in the Nations League.
Kieffer Moore opened the scoring after just 36 seconds at the Stadion Kraj Bistrice, with Wales netting inside a minute for the first time since Robert Earnshaw in 2004.
But the Dragons doubled their advantage with two minutes and 27 seconds on the clock, this time Harry Wilson found the back of the net with a fine finish from distance.
It was the first time Wales had scored twice within the opening three minutes of a game since April 1961 against Northern Ireland to give Bellamy a dream start.
However, the conditions in Montenegro were far from ideal, with the rain-soaked pitch allowing Driton Camaj to pull one back for the hosts in the 73rd minute.
Wales were able to see out the remaining minutes to seal their first win of their Nations League campaign, building on their impressive showing against Turkiye.
"These are the toughest conditions I've been in. Nothing about coming here has been easy," Bellamy said.
"You could have had a lot of excuses about this trip. The change of venue, the travel here, a bus driver who took his time, the conditions. But sometimes you learn from it.
"There is a reason why this group have qualified for major tournaments. It wasn't a football match. The conditions weren't going to allow it."
Wales are now unbeaten in their last eight competitive fixtures (W4 D4), their longest such run since a run of 11 between September 2019 and November 2020.
Bellamy's appointment has seemingly revitalised Welsh football, with his expansive and exciting style of play catching the eyes of those across Europe.
The Dragons return to action next month when they face Iceland and Montenegro once again, something that Bellamy is already counting down the days for.
"Last night I was really excited about the game but also sad as it ends tomorrow," Bellamy said.
"What happens on Tuesday? They're all going to leave me and I don't want them to go.
"You want your first win of course and you want it quick. Longer-term I see us being able to affect games in a positive way."
France 2-0 Belgium: Dembele leads Les Bleus back to winning ways
Ousmane Dembele starred for France as Didier Deschamps' side overcame their opening day defeat to Italy with a 2-0 triumph over Belgium in the Nations League.
Randal Kolo Muani handed the hosts the advantage in the first half, with a moment of individual brilliance from Dembele rounding off a dominant display in Lyon.
France's much-changed side struggled in the opening exchanges, as Dodi Lukebakio and Kevin De Bruyne fired the early warning signs to the hosts.
But Les Bleus' slow start improved and they took the lead in the 29th minute after Dembele's scuffed effort was parried into the path of Kolo Muani to smash home, despite the best efforts of Wout Faes on the line.
From then on, Domenico Tedesco's side failed to lay a glove on their opponents, with Belgium ending the first half with two shots compared to France's 12.
The triumph was sealed by a moment of magic, with N'Golo Kante laying the ball to Dembele, who drove at the Red Devils defence before rifling a fierce left-footed effort beyond the grasp of Koen Casteels.
There was also a moment of history made in the 79th minute, with Matteo Guendouzi leaving the field to be replaced by Antoine Griezmann to claim his 137th French cap, going joint-third on their all-time list alongside Olivier Giroud.
Data Debrief: PSG(oals)
Each of France's last five goals, excluding own goals, have now been scored by players under contract at Paris Saint-Germain, the longest such run by the Les Bleus since between June and August 2003.
Dembele was a particular standout for the hosts, producing the most shots (four), shots on target (two) and touches in the opposition box (nine), with his 19 passes into the final third a total only bettered by Manu Kone (22).
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
