Wednesday marked the one-year anniversary of Michael Beale’s appointment as Sunderland manager. The former Rangers manager was confirmed as successor to former boss Tony Mowbray and marked his first game in charge with a dispiriting performance in a 3-0 home defeat against Coventry City. There was a positive reaction to that Stadium of Light loss as a Jack Clarke goal helped Beale claim the first win of his managerial reign in a Boxing Day clash at Hull City.
However, that would be just one of three victories claimed during what would become a short spell in charge of the Black Cats. A 1-0 loss at struggling Huddersfield Town and a 2-1 defeat at relegation threatened Birmingham City persuaded the Sunderland board to part company with Beale and focus their attentions on naming another manager during the summer after Mick Dodds was placed in interim charge for the remainder of the campaign.
So, one year on from his appointment, how does Beale’s win percentage compare to other Sunderland managers over the last decade, including current boss Regis Le Bris?

5. Phil Parkinson — 39.6%
After just over a year at the hilt, Parkinson 'parted ways' with the club in November 2020. Photo: Alex Davidson

6. Tony Mowbray — 40%
A favourite among the fans, Mowbray guided Sunderland to within touching distance of promotion. | Getty Images

7. Alex Neil — 50%
Neil won exactly half of his 24 games in charge of Sunderland, including their League One play-off final win to earn promotion. | Getty Images

8. Régis Le Bris — 50.0%
Since his arrival, Le Bris has won 11 of Sunderland's 22 games so far. | Getty Images