Leon Balogun shares Rangers boss Michael Beale England job rumours
Michael Beale will have “more noise” around him in future because there has already been so much about the Rangers boss, says Leon Balogun.
The new Ibrox boss has caused a major stir in recent weeks after turning down the Wolves job in the English Premier League to remain at QPR, before leaving soon after to take the top job back at Rangers on 28 November.
And former Gers defender Balogun, who was signed by Beale at Loftus Road earlier this season, has revealed he had already heard rumours linking the 42-year-old to the national team job south of the border before he headed back to Glasgow.
Speaking on The Beautiful Game Podcast (16min 10sec) Balogun said of Beale while speaking about his Wolves offer: “There will be more noise about him, because there has been noise before.
“I heard rumours that people even talk about him becoming the next England national team manager.
“Which is just a great testimonial for him and the work he does.”
Ominous
Balogun was speaking before Beale left for the SPFL but it is certainly fair to say there has been plenty of noise around his managerial career, that is so far just 22 games old.
If he has been linked to so many jobs in such a short time it is almost impossible that there won’t be further links to other jobs in future.
But having made quite clear how the Light Blues job holds a special place in his and his family’s heart, he surely won’t be leaving Ibrox by choice any time soon.
There may be a nagging doubt in the back of some supporters’ minds though, considering the anger in West London now after many at QPR felt the same thing when the manager had reaffirmed his commitment to the job in the face of the advances from Molineux.
Balogun himself said that commitment was “something huge”, so while he no doubt understands the draw of Rangers since he didn’t want to leave in the summer, he was likely surprised himself that Beale ultimately left Loftus Road so soon after.
Gareth Southgate’s future as England manager is in question after the World Cup regardless of how well the Three Lions do after holding the job for six years, so that is a slight concern that Bears fans may have to keep an eye on if Beale impresses when the team returns to SPFL action.
In other Rangers news, Ross Wilson’s tenure was branded a “disaster” at the club’s AGM but drew a forceful response from the board.