Former Sunderland boss Michael Beale has told the club what they’re currently lacking.
Sunderland sacked Beale last month, bringing an abrupt end to his 12-game tenure which was full of controversy and turbulence.
From the Trai Hume-handshake saga to Beale saying Sunderland fans didn’t like him because he was southern, it was certainly a tenure that’s memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Mike Dodds was then placed in charge until the summer.
The 37-year-old is now in his third spell in interim charge of Sunderland and after six games, he’s now got his first win, beating Cardiff City 2-0 on Good Friday.
First half goals from Adil Aouchiche and Jobe Bellingham secured the win, ending a run of seven games without one, with two of those seven coming under Beale.
Michael Beale’s Sunderland record
The former QPR and Rangers boss was a largely unpopular appointment.
In fairness, it was going to be a difficult job for whoever came in, replacing the well-liked Tony Mowbray, whose job at the Stadium of Light is perhaps now being viewed as a more underrated one than the club gave him credit for.
And in 12 games, Beale claimed four wins, two draws, and six defeats, finishing his tenure on back-to-back defeats against Huddersfield Town, and then Mowbray’s Birmingham City.
Beale has been fairly quiet since leaving Sunderland.
But on Friday he appeared on Sky Sports, where he was quizzed on his former club.
Michael Beale speaks out on Sunderland exit and current squad
Of course, Beale was quizzed on his tenure and exit from Wearside, which he quickly glossed over.
Beale highlighted the difficulty in replacing Mowbray, but more interesting comments from Beale came on the state of the current squad.
Speaking before the win vs Cardiff City, Beale shared what he thinks the Sunderland first-team is currently lacking, saying live on Sky Sports:
“The big thing with the Sunderland squad now is it’s very talented and technical, but needs a little bit more experience within the team to get over the line.
“Even in the games since I’ve left and Mike Dodds has taken the team, the results have not probably been what they’ve deserved from the performances, and it’s a little bit of nouse and experience that could probably help the group.”
Michael Beale sends clear message to Kristjaan Speakman ahead of summer
Many Sunderland fans and pundits alike will agree with Beale’s comments.
Even with names like Corry Evans and Bradley Dack coming back, there’s still a distinct lack of experience in the side; not just Championship experience but experience in general.
Names like Luis Hemir had barely played senior football before joining the club, with the same applying to the likes of Mason Burstow.
And as injuries have piled up, and defeats started flooding in, Sunderland’s lack of experience really came to the fore.
Sunderland were desperately lacking leaders during their losing streak and still are to a degree, though the win vs Cardiff certainly comes as a timely confidence boost.
Going into the summer, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus will surely know what they need to do to the playing squad.
Like Beale suggests, experience is needed.
Speakman and co simply can’t add youngsters to the side and not give whoever the next manager is some experienced pros to help balance out the team.
It’s certainly an interesting summer ahead, with a manager to try and find as well.