Mick Beale appoints Rangers coach as former QPR coach succeeds Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Ibrox | Football news
Rangers have appointed Mick Beale as their new manager on a deal until 2026.
The 42-year-old arrived at the club’s training ground on Monday to complete his move from QPR, where he took charge less than six months ago, and replaced Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who was fired last week.
Beale – who has maintained a good relationship with Rangers since stepping down as manager last November – will join coaches Damian Matthew, Harry Watling and Neil Banfield, with further appointments as expected.
Neil Banfield, Harry Watling and Damian Matthew are joining Beale at Rangers
He said: “It was great to be back and see everyone this morning, there were some new faces but also people that I know very well so it was nice to meet everyone.
“I’m incredibly proud, it’s a great, great football club, it’s an institution.
“For everyone who works here, it’s a huge privilege, but to be the manager of this football club, it’s extremely special.
“Some amazing people have sat in this chair before me, and I’m incredibly proud to be sitting here right now.”
Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson (left) said Beale’s appointment came after “a week of intense discussions” with various candidates
Sports director Ross Wilson, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Michael back to Rangers. I know how excited he is about everything that comes with the prestige of being Rangers coach.
“Our players and staff at both the training ground and at Ibrox are looking forward to working with Michael. He has a clear plan and will work with the team immediately along with the technical staff. and support.
“Ultimately, this is a coveted management position, and after a week of intense discussion, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the outstanding managers we have met to discuss the role. this game.”
Rangers President Douglas Park says the board will support both Beale and Wilson
Rangers president Douglas Park said: “I am delighted to welcome Michael as our new coach as we aim to strengthen our on-court performance.
“Michael was a very exciting appointment for us, his energy and ambition stood out both when he was here before and in the discussions we had before he rejoined. .
“The board will support both Michael and Ross Wilson to make this appointment a success, and I wish him all the best in the future.”
Beale’s journey to becoming a Rangers boss
Beale (right) spent 3 years in charge of Rangers under Steven Gerrard
In 2002, Beale joined Chelsea’s academy as a coach and spent 10 years at the club before moving to Liverpool, where he continued to work with the Under-23s team.
At the age of 36, he was appointed assistant coach of Sao Paulo, just seven months later he resigned and returned to Anfield.
Beale then spent three years at Rangers as part of Steven Gerrard’s support team, helping the club win a 55th premier league title in 2021 before joining Gerrard to move to Aston Villa.
In June, 20 years after his coaching journey began, Beale took on his first role as head coach at QPR and took the club to the top of the Championship in October.
that form lead to an approach from Wolves when they looked for a new manager, but Beale refused, citing “integrity and loyalty”.
Why did he choose Rangers over Wolves?
Beale has maintained a good relationship with the characters at Ibrox since leaving last year
Beale has spoken of his desire to lead in the Premier League one day, so it seemed strange that he turned down Wolves in October, only to leave QPR for Rangers a few weeks later.
What cannot be underestimated, however, is his love for the club and Scotland following his first stint in Glasgow.
After more than a year apart, he still maintains a good relationship with key figures at the club including sporting director Gers Ross Wilson and even attended the match against Aberdeen last month.
Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson and chief executive Stewart Robertson (centre) lead the search for a replacement Giovanni van Bronckhorst
While he has only won one championship with Gerrard, the expectation of more silverware has not gone away for him.
More than 50,000 fans will fill Ibrox weekly – something not every club can boast of – and the pressure to bring on those supporters is something he thrives on.
The appeal of Champions League football is another big driver. Rangers have had a bad campaign under Van Bronckhorst this season – losing every game – but he will be confident of building a team that can battle it out against Europe’s elite teams next year.
Off the field, it is understood his family has struggled to settle down in the West Midlands, after he moved from Glasgow, and a return to familiar surroundings is also appealing.
What’s coming to the Rangers?
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Rangers players returned to the club’s training center on Monday to begin preparations for their return to action.
Rangers got off to a rough start to the 2022/23 season under Van Bronckhorst.
A string of poor results – which led to his sacking – means the team are nine points behind leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
The team also endured a serious Champions League campaign, which saw the Rangers lose all six of their group stage games, including a 7-1 loss to Liverpool at home.
The players returned to training on Monday, after a two-week break for the World Cup, and met Beale as they looked to the future.
Rangers’ first game after the World Cup break was at Ibrox against Hibs – live on Sky
Rangers’ first game in the Scottish Premier League under their new boss will come on December 15 against Hibernian at Ibrox, with the Old Firm just two weeks later, both Live on Sky Sports.
A Scottish League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden Park is also imminent, with the defense of the Scottish Cup following.
Boyd: Beale takes a gamble for Rangers
Beale returned to Ibrox to watch Rangers vs Aberdeen last month
Speaking to Sky Sports, former Rangers striker Kris Boyd said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Mick Beale to manage a large organization and a club that is recognized around the world.
“That responsibility brings a lot of pressure. He will need to face things and stay calm as that pressure mounts from the stands and on social media.
“Beale’s relationship with the club and fans will help but while he has credit in the bank it only goes so far – the sacking of Giovanni van Bronckhorst proves it.
“Just a few months after the Europa League final and the Scottish Cup win, he was sacked. That in itself highlights the pressure and demands of Rangers.
“Without a doubt, Beale is a top coach – some players have described him as the best they have ever worked with.
“You can’t work at teams like Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Sao Paulo if you’re not appreciated, but there’s a huge difference between being a manager and being coach of Rangers.
“People will ask if he is ready for such a job after such a short stint at QPR. It is a gamble but those in charge at Ibrox believe he is the right man to take the club forward. up.”
Rangers’ next five games
December 15th: hibernation (h), Scottish Premier League, kicks off at 8pm, live Sports sky
December 20: Aberdeen (a), Scottish Premier League, kicking off at 8pm, live Sports sky
December 23: Ross County (a), Scottish Premier League, kicks off at 7:30pm, live Sports sky
December 28: momwell (h), Scottish Premier League, kicks off at 19:45
January 2nd: Celts (h), Scottish Premier League, kicks off at 12:30pm, live Sports sky
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