Rangers have apparently made QPR manager Michael Beale their “top target” to replace Dutch coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
That’s according to Football Insider, who are claiming the Gers want the ex-Ibrox coach if they do decide to pull the plug on struggling Dutch coach Gio.
Van Bronckhorst is currently nine points behind Celtic in the title race with many viewing the gap as insurmountable with Rangers ravaged by injury and devoid of any leadership, cojones or inspiration on the pitch.
Michael Beale spent three and a bit years at Rangers during the reign of Steven Gerrard at Ibrox and many regard the now QPR manager as the brains behind the Scouser’s Ibrox operation.
Rangers reportedly target Michael Beale
The links come at an interesting time for Michael Beale, with the QPR coach turning down the chance to manage in the Premier League only last month.
Officially approached by Wolves, Beale was commended for turning the job opportunity down due to his desire to focus on a so-far impressive English Championship campaign at Loftus Road.
But it’s clear that Michael Beale has a substantially different relationship with Rangers and was even spotted back in the stands as the Gers dumped Aberdeen 4-1 in the Premiership.
Speaking after the game, Beale insisted he was only back at Rangers for a catch-up and paid tribute to the club.
“It’s a wonderful club. I had a fantastic time there,” said Michael Beale [Sky Sports].
“We left one-year-ago this weekend. I hadn’t had the chance to go back and say goodbye to some people either.
“I’m really friendly with a lot of people on the board and I’ve got a lot of friends in the city in general after living up there for the best part of four years.
“It was a visit that was long overdue. It was in the diary for five or six weeks before because of the Friday night game.”
Meanwhile, one highly-rated Euro coach has appeared to rule himself out of the Ibrox running.