Sunderland have announced that they have appointed Michael Beale as their new head coach.
Earlier this month, the Black Cats made the decision to part ways with Tony Mowbray, who had guided the club to the Championship playoffs in 2022-23.
Although Sunderland were in the top half of the table this time around, a run of two wins from nine games led to Mowbray losing his position at the Stadium of Light.
Under interim management, Sunderland responded with victories over West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United, before they succumbed to a 1-0 reverse at Bristol City at the weekend.
Ahead of the fixture at Ashton Gate, though, the wheels were already in motion regarding a deal for Beale, who had been out of work since being sacked as Rangers manager earlier this season.
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Just two weeks ahead of the January transfer window, the 43-year-old has now accepted the offer to spearhead another Sunderland charge for the top six.
Speaking to the club's official website, Beale - who has signed a contract until 2026 - said: "It's a huge honour to be joining the Sunderland family and I would like to thank Kyril (Louis-Dreyfus, majority owner), Kristjaan (Speakman, spirting director) and the rest of the Executive Team for the faith and responsibility they have placed in me.
"The existing coaching team deserve huge credit for the way they navigated the interim period and like all of the staff at the club, they will continue to be vitally important moving forward alongside the incredible fans that make SAFC such an historic and unique club.
"It's clear there is some excellent work being done at senior and academy level and I'm excited to support those efforts and implement my own ideas, as we build on the strong identity already established within the club."
As well as winning 31 of his 43 matches in charge of Rangers, Beale had previously recorded nine victories from his 22 games as head coach of Queens Park Rangers.
Beale's opening fixture will see Sunderland, who are seventh in the Championship standings, play host to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
Darren Plant
