EFL Championship: Sunderland names Beale as new head coach

Sunderland sacked Tony Mowbray after 15 months in charge in early December after winning only two of the last nine league matches while he was in charge.

FILE PHOTO: Rangers’ English head coach Michael Beale reacts ahead of the UEFA Europa League group C football match between Rangers and Sparta Praha at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. | Photo Credit: AFP

Sunderland have appointed former Rangers boss Michael Beale as its new head coach to replace Tony Mowbray, the English Championship club said on Monday.

Sunderland sacked Mowbray after 15 months in charge in early December. He led Sunderland to the Championship playoffs in his first season but the club won only two of the last nine league matches while he was in charge.

Rangers parted ways with Beale after results this season fell short of expectations. The 43-year-old former Charlton Athletic player was also part of the coaching set-up at Chelsea and Liverpool academies.

“Beale has signed a contract until summer 2026 at the Stadium of Light and started his role on Monday, returning to coaching two months after leaving Rangers,” Sunderland said in a statement.

Sunderland is seventh, just outside the playoff places, and hosts Coventry on Saturday.