Michael Beale fires back at QPR critics after ‘whirlwind’ Rangers appointment
Michael Beale has delivered his response to the critics slamming him for dropping QPR in favour of a return to Rangers this week.
Just over a month ago, Beale emphasised his focus on “loyalty and integrity” at QPR after he snubbed an approach from Premier League side Wolves.
However, when Rangers came knocking this month following the sacking of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Beale admitted that it was “impossible to turn down”.
“All I can say is thank you to everybody. I know that I’ve disappointed a few, but it’s never as simple as people think it is and the opportunities that have been presented to me recently have been very difficult to turn down,” Beale told Sky Sports.
“This one was impossible to turn down.
“It’s fair to say it’s been a whirlwind since I left Steven [Gerrard] and stepped out on my own,” added the new Rangers boss.
Focus now on Rangers
It’s only been a week since Van Bronckhrost was sacked at Ibrox, but it’s been a dramatic week of twists and turns with Beale upsetting his former club by swapping London for Glasgow.
But as the new Gers managers says, the opportunity to manage a title-challenging side is an opportunity impossible to turn down.
Most Championship managers would jump at the chance to take the Ibrox hot seat, so the criticism towards Beale is strange to say the least.
His record in Glasgow and familiarity with the club also plays a part, and QPR to Rangers is a big step up for the 42-year-old.
But with the awkwardness of his exit now behind him, Beale has a huge task in front of him. Rangers need a squad overhaul, a new direction of tactics and coaching and a manager at the helm able to motivate the current batch of players.
It’s bound to be a blockbuster second half to the season, and Beale has the opportunity to close the gap to Celtic and potentially win silverware in his first few months as the Rangers manager.
In other Rangers news, the club fights back in their legal battle over the Sydney Super Cup withdrawal earlier this year