As predicted, things are starting to move a bit quicker now that Rangers have made their decision on who they want to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
For a long time, Michael Beale has been at number one on the bookies’ shortlist and with The Telegraph and Sky Sports confirming that an approach had been made to the Championship club, The Athletic’s David Ornstein has revealed that they are true to their word and not standing in the former Gers coach’s way:
“Rangers given permission by QPR to talk to Michael Beale. 42yo keen + while deal not yet done, expected to happen. #QPR ready to restart manager search (began when highly-rated Beale almost joined Wolves).”
Heart and Hand’s David Edgar has also corroborated this claim on Patreon with a short post:
“Rangers have been given permission by QPR to speak to Michael Beale about the Manager role at Ibrox.
“The deal is not completed but all sides expect it to happen. Barring any last-minute issues he should be in place early next week.”
The parties involved; QPR, Rangers and Beale, all appear to be moving in the same direction so there would have to be a monumental hiccup for the deal to break down now. It’s not like Beale doesn’t know the club, the hierarchy and where we are in terms of the squad and finances.
It’s safe to say that Beale wouldn’t have expected to be back at Ibrox as quickly as it looks likely and the 18th permanent manager of Rangers has as hard a task as any given the squad he has at his disposal, the injury list, the expected summer exodus and the challenge presented across the city.
Welcome back, Michael!