REPORT: Sunderland’s top player is expected to end his contract after Michael Beale’s departure.

Sunderland players ‘really appreciated’ working with Michael Beale, says midfielder.

Dan Neil seemed to be unaware of any disagreements between Sunderland players and Michael Beale.

Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil believes dismissed head coach Michael Beale ‘had some really good ideas’ and accepts that the players must share blame for his dismissal.

Sunderland sacked Beale after only 12 games, half of which he lost.

Rumours circulated, fueled by Beale’s reluctance to acknowledge Trai Hume on the touchline at Birmingham in his penultimate game in charge, that he had already lost the dressing room and that the players disliked working with him.

Neil, on the other hand, has attempted to clarify the situation, claiming that there was no problem on the players’ end and that they felt they let Beale down on the field.

“I want to wish the old gaffer well in whatever he chooses to do next,” Neil told safc.com.

“I believe many of the boys, if not all of them, enjoyed working under him, and we thought he had some great ideas.

“It just didn’t quite work out, and you know as athletes, we have to accept some responsibility for that.

“We didn’t produce what he wanted on the pitch, and I believe this is reflected in the most recent set of results.

“So yeah, like I said, we have to take some responsibility for that and I know all the boys wish him well and whatever he chooses to do next.”