SACKED Sunderland manager Michael Beale may have had a Twitter 'burner account', according to a bizarre fan theory.
The former Black Cats boss was dismissed on Monday just two months into his two-and-a-half-year contract.
However, supporters believe they have since discovered a suspicious social media account which defended his managerial record.
Sunderland fan @WhatTheFalkPod uncovered a now deleted account called @Player_id, writing: "Read the posts on this account. Definitely Michael Bealeâs burner account innit?"
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They later found a post from 2017 which read: "Give @MichaelBeale new business @Player_id a follow and check out the website. Youâll not regret it."
In response, the fan added: "You mean⦠it was his burner account?"
A thread from the Second Tier podcast then revealed further posts from the @Player_id account.
The tweets included one defending Beale for not shaking Trai Hume's hand during Saturday's loss to Birmingham.
It claimed he had been watching the game and speaking to another player when he appeared to snub Hume.
Another screenshot also showed the account retweeting a post from a rival fan which asked: "Who in their right mind would want that job?" before his Sunderland sacking.
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Meanwhile, posts from Beale's time as Rangers boss were dug up as well as a LinkedIn post from the axed manager promoting the PlayerID podcast to further add to the theory.
Beale was sacked by Sunderland on Monday, having reportedly lost the dressing room at the Stadium of Light.
Players are said to have been "particularly unhappy" at being brought in for extra training after one defeat.
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At the same time, Beale had taken the day off and was not present at the training ground.
Sunderland have confirmed Mike Dodds will take charge of the side as interim boss until the end of the season.
