Head coach has final say on team selection insists Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman

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Michael Beale, the new head coach of Sunderland, will make the final selection, according to Kristjaan Speakman, despite Tony Mowbray’s comments suggesting that he felt pressured to include some players and leave others out. At the start of this month, Mowbray was fired just over 48 hours after he revealed in an interview following the Black Cats’ 1-1 draw at Millwall that there was conflict between the club’s aim to play primarily youth players and his own preference, stemming from his 40-year football career, for balancing youth with one or two more more experienced heads.

One such player is Alex Pritchard, 30, who came dangerously close to departing Wearside on deadline day. After the window closed, he made only a few starts despite contributing in multiple substitute appearances before Mowbray’s departure. Nonetheless, Pritchard started against Leeds United and assisted the game’s lone goal, came off the bench to help Sunderland defeat West Brom 2-1 under Mike Dodds’ interim leadership, and started against Bristol City last weekend, creating multiple set-piece opportunities.

When questioned at The Den if he had to choose between playing seasoned attacking midfielders like Bradley Dack and Pritchard or sticking with the team’s summer acquisition of inexperienced forwards who have yet to score a goal, Mowbray said, “That’s not really my decision.” The club will provide opportunities for young players because they want them to play, grow, and be given opportunities.