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Rangers fired manager Michael Beale after only ten months in charge.
Rangers have announced the departure of manager Michael Beale after only 10 months in charge.
In November of last year, the 43-year-old resigned his position as manager of Championship team Queens Park Rangers to take over at Ibrox as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s replacement.
Last season, Beale won 22 of his first 28 games as Rangers manager in all competitions, but the Gers finished trophyless and second in the Scottish Premiership behind champions and Old Firm rivals Celtic.
Beale oversaw a massive makeover of the first-team squad during the summer transfer window in an attempt to return to the top of Scottish football, with about £15m spent on nine new players and 14 departing either permanently or on loan.
However, Beale’s new-look squad has failed to make an impact in the early parts of this season, with a 7-3 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in Champions League qualifying and a Premiership loss to Kilmarnock on the opening weekend piling early pressure on the Gers manager.
A 1-0 home loss to Celtic was followed by four straight wins without reply, but Rangers’ latest setback – a 3-1 home loss to Aberdeen on Saturday – proved to be the final nail in Beale’s coffin, just two and a half weeks after the Englishman stated that he had assurances about his future at the club.
Rangers have revealed that trainers Neil Banfield, Damian Matthew, Harry Watling, and Jack Ade, as well as Beale, have had their contracts terminated.
The Glasgow giants have also announced that midfielder Steven Davis, 38, will “lead the interim management team,” which will include Alex Rae, Steven Smith, Brian Gilmour, and Colin Stewart.
Rangers fired manager Michael Beale after only ten months in charge
Rangers’ official website stated, “Rangers Football Club can confirm that it has parted ways with men’s first-team manager, Michael Beale.”
“The Rangers board of directors would like to record their appreciation to Michael and his staff for their efforts since joining the club last November.”
“This season’s results have fallen short of what everyone associated with the Rangers would have expected.”
“As a result, the decision was made today to terminate the manager’s contract as well as the contracts of coaches Neil Banfield, Damian Matthew, Harry Watling, and Jack Ade.”
“The club is pleased to announce that Steven Davis will serve as interim manager.”
“The team will consist of former Rangers player and hugely experienced coach Alex Rae, former Rangers player and current coach Steven Smith, coach Brian Gilmour, and goalkeeping coach, Colin Stewart.”
“I’d like to thank Michael for his dedicated work since re-joining the club as manager last November,” Rangers chairman John Bennett added.
“It is clear that the results have fallen far short of the expectations of the board, Michael, and our supporters.”
“The search for a new manager has already begun.”
I wish Steven Davis and the interim management team the best of luck; they will be in charge for as long as it takes to find the appropriate candidate.”
Rangers will be led by Davis for the first time when they travel to Cyprus on Thursday night to face Aris Limassol in the Europa League group round.
