QPR have decided to make an approach for 41 year old Aston Villa assistant head coach Michael Beale and want to hold talks with him.
He is the even-money bookies’ favourite to land the job at Loftus Road, who had been Charlton’s shortlist previously but the Addicks are set to announce Swindon boss Ben Garner as their new manager.
Queens Park Rangers parted company with Mark Warburton at the end of last season after his contract came to an end.
Steven Gerrard’s assistant Beale is now high up on the second tier outfit’s list of candidates according to John Percy, ahead of Wycombe’s Gareth Ainsworth (4/1), Karl Robinson (6/1, Oxford), Liam Manning (6/1, MK Dons) and Denmark legend Jon Dahl Tomasson (8/1) who was last in charge of Malmo in 2021.
Stuart Pearce, who departed West Ham as David Moyes’ assistant this week, is also on the shortlist at 10/1, as is Sol Campbell (12/1), Michael Appleton (14/1), Gary Rowett (16/1) and Shaun Derry (16/1).
Beale, who is from London, linked up with Villa alongside Gerrard back in November and with his assistant the subject of managerial interest, Gerrard said: “I’ll never stand in anyone’s way who doesn’t want to be a part of this journey, that’s for sure. That goes for staff or players.
“It’s no surprise that he’s linked with another club, I think that’s been the case since I’ve known Mick. He’s very highly thought of in the world of football, so I’m not surprised. It’s not the first time that’s been asked. In terms of what he’s thinking, I’m sure that’s a question for him.”
Gerrard first worked with Beale for Liverpool’s academy and was quick to bring him along as part of his backroom setup at Rangers in 2018 before they both – alongside Gary McAllister, Tom Culshaw and Jordan Milsom – all made the switch to Villa Park earlier last year.
“He certainly looks settled and is performing like he’s settled,” Gerrard added of Beale’s importance at Villa. “I think he’s a top coach and I really enjoy working with him. I always have done and I’m very keen for him to share this journey as well. Yeah, he seems really settled. He’s bought a house locally in the area. I don’t think he can look any more settled than that.”
Beale used to be a Chelsea youth coach, and has been tipped as a future manager ‘given his standing in the game’. He left Liverpool under-21s’ manager in 2016 and was named as the assistant to Rogerio Ceni at Sao Paulo in Brazil, before returning back to England, and headed to Melwood to become head of academy coaching.
Birmingham Live report that they expect QPR to approach Aston Villa to speak with Beale, with Gerrard keen for his assistant to stay.
Fans reacted as QPR make an approach for the 41 year old assistant head coach and want to hold talks…
@ajbyrne_avfc: No please
@Lotus72avfc: The guy deserves a chance if that’s what he wants! Suspect a few of our young lads may go with him for experience!
@Stephenjimson1: If Michael goes, no point having Steve G around.
@EveryOtherSatu1: Time for Mick Beale to shine
@MarkPatton7: Look how they treated Mark Warburton @MichaelBeale 😖
@SirSmuglasEllis: Oh dear. The Ray Wilkins to Gerrard’s Sherwood could be about to depart…not good #avfc #utv
@FactsRafa: Big loss for Gerrard if Beale goes as he’s the one that does most the coaching. That’s the danger with managers that do little of the coaching and rely so much on a coach. It would be good to see Gerrard become a more hands on coach and show he can be good without him.
@TunnelKing: Isn’t Beale supposed to the brains of the pair?
@iainankcorn: He could be the coaching brains of the pair..unless you think SG picked up absolutely nothing as a player for 25 years working under European Cup winning managers and coaches
@EmpireFF: Steven Gerrard’s ‘brain’ when it comes to coaching. I hope he takes this chance. He’s too good to be a coach. Deserves his own club.
@LFCZA: Another #LFC youth coach alumni about to take the big step into management, joining Steve Cooper and Neil Critchley.
@QFan1820: Bring Cameron Archer with him and we really could be talking #QPR
@JJ15_AV: They can fuck off
@sam_benardout: Do it @QPR
@bigdunc88: Villa relegated next year . No hate for stevie but Mr beale is the 🧠
@JHC17626935: Smart move from QPR, love Michael Beale. Be interesting to see how Gerrard got on without him.
@shaggergreegsy1: Hope Beale tells Gerrard he’s happy and settled & going nowhere then fucks off to QPR a few days later leaving Gerrard to try to run the training sessions and organise the tactics. Then he’ll know how it feels
@JacobMcArthur18: Stevie mudded
@jamese9930: Relax. Not downplaying his role, but Coutinho, Digne & Kamara haven’t signed to pay for Beale. We will be fine if he goes. #avfc
@woodybcfc: Exactly the approach Blues should be doing. But we are 5years behind the times. That’s why Warburton was let go- dinosaur, can’t take anyone to next level.
@QFan1820: Seeing a lot of villa fans very angry at this, must mean he’s highly thought of? #QPR
@Sam_AEC: With all the talks of how valid the Garner links are, one thing that now looks increasingly unlikely regardless is Michael Beale. If he does leave Villa to take a top job, I can only assume QPR would be a more attractive prospect at this stage #cafc
@RM08099: Gerrard will be absolute jobbying himself man
@PenaCartel: Well that would change things massively. Gerrard is absolutely the man manager of the team, but Beale is the guy behind the football
@tomonthekop: This would be a huge problem for Gerrard & Villa. Beale has apparently been a crucial part of Gerrard’s successes.
@TaintlessRed: This would be a big loss for Gerrard as Beale is the one who runs training day to day, the drills, keeping things fresh all the time etc. allowing Gerrard to focus on the bigger picture and other areas. He relies on him a lot. Difficult to replace if he does leave.
@EG_72_: will be intriguing to see how gerrard does without him
@villanfandan1: Why can’t we just have nice things ffs
@afgavinstan: Let’s be honest here, SG would be lost without Beale.
@What_Sam_Said_: Worked within the academy at Liverpool and Chelsea and currently assistant manager at Villa so reckon we could get some good loans in. Good style of play at Villa and I reckon Michael Beale will suit the set up here. Rather him than Robinson, Ainsworth etc #QPR
@JoshRFC1872: QPR getting promoted then
@HeartandHutts: Reckon Gerrard might now actually be quietly terrified
@danielfreeman83: I see KR is still “in the betting” for the QPR but this is a trusted source and exactly the type of manager that they’re after #oufc
@Evan_Manister1: Villa fans seem gutted he might leave. That does give it a positive outlook that this may be a good appointment. #QPR
The brains behind SG I believe.
Would be a huge loss to Gerrard but he’s previously talked about being the main man. https://t.co/YPWiLd9bki— Richard McLuckie (@Acemcl) May 26, 2022
One minute, excitement overload over M. Kamara; next, panic ensues over Michael Beale. Look: either SG and CP will nail his balls to the table and he’ll stay or he will go and we will just have to crack on with it. If QPR overtake us in the league; then we should def get upset. https://t.co/MqFzV6hzbl pic.twitter.com/5iUaw0c4In
— Nocola (@NicolaPartridg2) May 26, 2022
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