‘Terrible’: Allegation made during Birmingham v Sunderland game

| February 20, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Michael Beale’s tenure at Sunderland ends after just two months in command.

Former QPR and Rangers manager Beale has left the Stadium of Light. His assistant, former Black Cats temporary manager Mike Dodds, will now lead the squad until the conclusion of the season.

His record as manager of the Black Cats was not great, but an altercation between himself and Trai Hume in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Birmingham City may not have helped his cause either.

Northern Irish full back Hume has been a consistent player for Sunderland in an up-and-down season, and he had to pass a fitness test on Saturday morning in order to start the club’s game against the Blues this weekend, which he accomplished successfully.

The defender had a decent game, although he received a yellow card, and given his fitness concerns earlier in the week, Beale replaced Hume late in the encounter.

Like Hume passed past his employer, he attempted to welcome him like most substitutes do, but Beale ignored the gesture.

According to talkSPORT, Beale stated after the game that he did not see Hume make the gesture and planned to return to the changing room to inform him that he missed him.

The former QPR manager then posted on Instagram that he was unaware of missing his handshake until asked about it after the game. I immediately went to visit him and apologized.”

He also complimented Hume on his professionalism and work attitude.

Hume incident may have cost Beale his Sunderland job

According to FLW’s Sunderland fan analyst Jack Austwicke, the altercation between Hume and Beale may have influenced Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ decision to fire Beale as head coach.

He stated, “The incident on Saturday with Beale and Hume – handshake-gate, it was terrible timing for Beale, but it cut to him, I saw it at the time and my jaw hit the floor.”

“I could not believe it. It seems clearly evident, and the longer you watch it, the worse it became.

“I know he released a statement afterward saying he didn’t see him – perhaps he was so focused on the game that he didn’t notice him, but it looks horrible.

“He side-steps away – Hume looked fuming, something was probably said in the dressing room, the owners would have looked at that, and it could have been a factor in his dismissal, because he could be losing the dressing room, and that is the last thing you want to lose as a manager and I think that’s definitely played a factor.”

Michael Beale didn’t help himself with Trai Hume incident

The 43-year-old faced an uphill struggle from the start, given he was succeeding Tony Mowbray, a popular figure who led the club to the Championship play-offs at the first attempt.

During a setback at home to Hull City a month ago, Sunderland fans yelled that he should be removed. He responded by saying that Mowbray ‘isn’t coming back’, which may not have helped.

He’s nearly confronted and challenged the supporters at times, which is a risky move when you’ve lost more games than you’ve won.

When you’re in the hot seat, you have to be on your best behavior, and Beale’s actions against Mowbray’s side smacked of poor man management and hubris – he may have mellowed in recent weeks, but the Hume incident appears to be the final straw.

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