Queens Park Rangers boss Michael Beale has expressed his appreciation for the experience working at Liverpool gave him, 10 years after first setting foot in the club's academy.
The 42-year-old made the switch to Kirkby from Chelsea in 2012, becoming the Reds' U16s coach, before stepping up to the U23s role two years later. But in January 2017, his passion for South American football influenced a dramatic next move, becoming assistant manager of Sao Paulo in Brazil.
But after first team boss Rogério Ceni was dismissed following a run of poor results, Beale returned to Liverpool's Academy before getting the call from Steven Gerrard to take up the assistant manager's job at Rangers. After success north of the border, he would follow Gerrard to Aston Villa, but has now grasped his first step in full management by taking over the reins at Loftus Road.
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Writing on Twitter, Beale said: “10 years ago today, was my first day at the Liverpool academy. It was one of those big life decisions that are the making of you as a person/family. The club gave me so much, the people inside the club/city even more. Forever grateful, amazing memories and a very special place.”
Beale has made a decent start to life as QPR boss, winning four of his first nine league matches - a return that currently puts the West London club eighth in the Championship.
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