Michael Beale responds to Sunderland fans after they demanded he be sacked

20 January 2024 , 16:21

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Michael Beale is under pressure (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)

Michael Beale has vowed to battle on - and told moaning Sunderland fans that Tony Mowbray "isn't coming back."

The former Rangers boss was left shell-shocked when home fans turned on him during Friday night's defeat by Hull. They chanted: "You're getting sacked in the morning…" just seven games into his reign, after Mowbray, now at Birmingham, was controversially sacked.

‌Beale says he will get back onto the training pitch after losing four of his games in charge with two wins. Beale said: "It shows Tony Mowbray did a good job. He is not coming back and has lots of well-wishers at the club.

"He is a guy I like. It had nothing to do with me. I came in afterwards. You need mental resilience and stamina. No words I give can give comfort to the fans or the dressing room.

I'm doing my best with the staff that we've got and this young group to fulfil our ambition. We've got 18 games to go and we're in a better position than we were at this time last year, so I think see the positivity.”

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Skipper Luke O’Nein said: “We are not far off being a very good team. We have to come back stronger. They are fine margins, which would mean a different mood, a different spirit.

“There are 18 games left and everyone has to be treated as a cup final. We are not in a bad position and we need to get points and get into those playoffs.”

Simon Bird