Beale on attempts of Scottish clubs to split Gerrard team

Former Rangers first team coach Michael Beale has revealed that Scottish clubs previously attempted to prise him away from Ibrox.

That would have meant Steven Gerrard’s backroom team would have been split up but given the situation of the last few years at Rangers and the nature of Scottish football, it was very much an unlikely proposition.

New QPR-boss Beale gave a round of interviews to various journalists and outlets this week, as he got his feet under the table at the R’s training ground with his regime at the west London club about to get going.

He is on record as stating that this feels like the right club at the best moment for him to go alone, despite just making the move to Aston Villa in November of last year. As it transpires, that would just be a temporary posting with an itchy foot aiding a burning desire for the top job at a good club. On top of that, the chance to return south for Beale and his family cemented the decision to make this bold step.

On those previous chances to be a manager, he told Rangers Review:

“If I wasn’t working with someone who had the stature of Steven Gerrard and enjoyed the relationship I had with him, I would’ve been a manager probably before coming to Rangers.”

“I took the choice to work with Steven and while I was at Rangers had five or six opportunities to move on, one or two in Scotland, back home and around Europe. I always rebuffed them because I was part of the project and plan at Rangers. I didn’t think it was finished.”

Project

Leaving Rangers for a step down in Scottish football would not have made any sense, but it is no surprise that one, two years ago, there were already approaches for the services of Michael Beale. His coaching qualities are renowned and clear to see, as well as lauded by those players he has worked with.

It speaks volumes that Gerrard and his backroom team were committed to the pursuit of the title and 55, but Beale is right in that they should and could have won more, but it just wasn’t to be. The relationship between the Liverpool icon and his trusted assistants is strong, that bond remains even with Beale having flown the nest to further enhance his reputation in the Championship with QPR.

As for the ‘big’ Rangers and Mick, don’t rule out another chapter in the story to be written further down the line.