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Rangers boss Michael Beale key to Steven Gerrard doubts amid Leeds United and Leicester talks - BBC pundit
Carlton Palmer doubts former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is the right man for either Leeds or Leicester because he’s been proven to be over reliant on current Ibrox boss Michael Beale.
The pair of English clubs were relegated from the Premier League last weekend and are reportedly in talks with the ex-England captain over their vacant managerial positions [Football Transfers, 5 June].
But Palmer understands why the two sets of fans aren’t impressed despite the “magnificent” job he did in winning the 55th title with the Light Blues, because he has since “failed” at Aston Villa once Beale left for QPR.
On the Elland Road and King Power Stadium jobs the BBC pundit told Football League World: “Both sets of supporters are not especially keen on the idea. Steven did a magnificent job at Rangers but the Scottish league is not comparable to the Premier League.
“It’s clearly apparent Steven was over reliant on his assistant Michael Beale, who has gone on to do well in his own right as a manager, firstly with QPR and now at Rangers.
“Just because he failed at Aston Villa doesn’t mean he shouldn’t get another opportunity. Both of these clubs will be looking for an immediate return to the Premier League, and I’m not sure if it’s the right time for either of these clubs to appoint Gerrard.”
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Right-hand man
It could all change in a year or two but Gerrard’s reputation has suffered since he left Ibrox for Villa Park while Beale’s has improved.
The Liverpool legend lasted less than a year in charge at the Premier League side and has been out of work since being sacked in October, with Unai Emery’s subsequent revival further damaging the perception of his ability.
After Beale left for Loftus Road in the summer the start to the recently-concluded campaign was miserable at Villa, while the Light Blues manager got off to a flyer with QPR.
That had started to fall flat by the time he made his controversial return to Rangers, and a failure to land a meaningful blow on Celtic before the end of the season was a definite disappointment.
But amid a summer overhaul that has started a rate of knots, and the departure from Parkhead of Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham, there is hope in Glasgow that Beale can overturn the situation in Scotland.
Gerrard surely needs to drop down a level from the English top flight to rehabilitate his career, and if he lands one of the two he is in talks for it would be a major opportunity.
His achievements with the Gers were a vital part of the recent history of the club, but the suggestion that Beale was the brains behind the operation has arguably only grown in the time since the pair originally left.
In other Rangers news, after multiple bids were tabled a Light Blues transfer pursuit is stuck amid a dispute over a pair of release clauses.