‘Secret candidate’ closing in on Sunderland manager job with hot-favourite Will Still missing out

MICHAEL BEALE is set to be appointed as Sunderland's new manager, according to reports.

The Championship side were initially linked with Reims boss Will Still.

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Sunderland chiefs allegedly held talks with the 31-year-old earlier this week, but they decided against signing him.

And transfer guru now claims they have reached an agreement with Beale.

The former Rangers boss was said to be a "secret" candidate on Sunderland's shortlist.

Beale was sacked by the Scottish side in October following a poor start to the season.

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Prior to his role at Ibrox, he managed Queens Park Rangers for five months.

Beale is set to replace Tony Mowbray, who was sacked earlier this month.

Academy coach Mike Dodds was subsequently appointed as caretaker boss.

Mowbray joined Sunderland in August last year - replacing Alex Neil.

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He guided the Black Cats to the Championship play-offs, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Luton in the semi-finals.

Sunderland currently sit sixth in the league table with 33 points from 21 games.