QPR will NOT stand in Michael Beale's way if he wants to make a sensational return to Rangers.
The former Light Blues No2, who was assistant under previous boss Steven Gerrard, is one of the main frontrunners to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst at the Ibrox helm after the club decided to sack the Dutchman yesterday after weeks of speculation over his future. Poor results and performances have ultimately cost him his job with Celtic leading the way in the Scottish Premiership by nine points.
Former Burley boss Sean Dyche and Kevin Muscat - Ange Postecoglou's successor at Yokohama F Marinos - have also been tipped with serious contenders with the latter recently lifting the J-League crown at his current club. However it is reported that Beale is leading the race for the top job and IS interested in a return to Glasgow. He took over at QPR in the summer, but remains close to the Rangers board and was a guest at their 4-1 win over Aberdeen last month. Director of Football Les Ferdinand has insisted no word has come his way from north of the border. But he is willing to talk if Beale makes it clear that he is keen on the vacant role at Rangers.
READ MORE: Giovanni van Bronckhorst SACKED by Rangers as search for new Ibrox boss underway
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Speaking to the Daily Record, Ferdinand said: “I haven’t spoken to Michael or Rangers about this. But I expected Michael’s name would be mentioned for the role at Rangers because he did such a good job while he was up there working with Steven Gerrard. I don't want to have to fight to keep anyone at QPR. I want people who want to be here. That’s the only way we can move forward.
“If they want to be somewhere else, that’s what they’re going to do. We’d have to have a conversation. It’s not that I’d be happy to have it but I only want people at the football club who want to be here.”
It's understood it would take a fee of around £1.5million to land Beale while a bill of around £3.5m will be required to pay off Van Bronckhorst and his backroom team. It is believed that Rangers will talk to more than one candiate as they want the process to be as rigorous as possible, but they don't want the process to go on and on.
A Rangers statement on Van Bronckhorst read: "Rangers Football Club confirms today it has parted company with manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The board would like to put on record sincere thanks to Gio for all his efforts since his appointment as manager.
"Arriving at the club just over a year ago, Gio led the club to a fifth European final and won the Scottish Cup last May. He also led the team to the club’s first Champions League qualification in 12 years.
"Unfortunately, results and performances over recent months haven’t met expectations and the decision was made today by the board to terminate the contract of the manager.
"The search for the new manager is now underway."
Chairman, Douglas Park, commented: “I want to thank Gio for the hard work he has put in over the last 12 months and, especially, the achievements of taking the club to the Europa League final and winning the Scottish Cup last season.
“Unfortunately, recent results have not met neither our nor Gio’s expectations, and we have taken this difficult decision today. Everyone at Rangers wishes Gio every success in the future.”
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