EXCLUSIVE: Michael Beale likened to 'fellow Jose Mourinho disciple' by former colleague

Gary McAllister says Sunderland boss Michael Beale has an ‘uncanny’ resemblance fellow Jose Mourinho ‘disciple’ Brendan Rodgers having worked with them both.

Beale was appointed the new head coach at Sunderland last month, replacing Tony Mowbray on a two-and-a-half-year contract, although the decision proved a controversial one among the fanbase.

He has had a solid start to life at the Stadium of Light, though, winning two and drawing one of his first four games.

McAllister worked with Beale alongside Steven Gerrard at Rangers and Aston Villa, and he was also Brendan Rodgers’ first-team coach when the Northern Irishman was in charge at Liverpool.

That has given him a strong perspective on both, and he believes the similarities are striking.

“I knew Michael from my Liverpool days and I was aware of Michael when he was taking the 18s and 23s and the underage groups,” Gary McAllister, told us exclusively via BoyleSports who offer the latest EFL Betting.

“But then working with him, you know, it was uncanny because I'd spent a little bit of time with Brendan at Liverpool before Brendan was relieved of his duties and the similarity was unbelievable.

“Obviously both were disciples of Mourinho and both worked together at Chelsea in the age groups.

“So there was that attention to detail and as I said, the variation. And Brendan is obviously another manager who likes to play with flair and wants to entertain. They were pretty similar.”

Beale got off to the worst possible start as Sunderland head coach, losing 3-0 at home to Coventry in his first game.

He has provided cause for optimism since, though, winning two and drawing one of his next three, including the brutally efficient 2-0 win over Preston on New Year’s Day.

Despite that, McAllister is confident that Beale will win over his doubters on Wearside – if he gets enough time.

Asked what he’d tell any Sunderland fans still unhappy about Beale’s appointment, McAllister said: “Listen, they shouldn't have any fears of not being a high-profile name.

“He's went and had a go at QPR where it started well, and started well at Rangers, and now he's got an opportunity at Sunderland.

“Coaching wise, know he's up there, he's talented. But then the whole management is something that takes time to develop. You need experience there as well, you know, because it's not only the part of the week on the training field that is big, but the periods off the field too because players are recovering.

“So the chats and the one-to-ones and that ability to get into the minds of your players is equally as important as nice training sessions. It's not all about nice training sessions.

“But, actually, you just need time to deliver. I think that's the big thing.”

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