01 October 2023 , 19:49
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Michael Beale has been sacked as Rangers manager less than a year after taking charge.
A poor start to the season was compounded by a 3-1 home defeat to Aberdeen on Saturday, a third league loss for the club in just seven games. The result leaves them seven points off rivals Celtic, with Beale having also failed to guide his side into the Champions League group stages.
A club statement read: "The Rangers board would like to put on record their thanks to Michael and his staff for their efforts since joining the club last November. Results this season have fallen short of what everyone connected to Rangers would expect."
"Therefore, the decision was reached today to terminate the contract of the manager, 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 lead the interim management team."
The statement also confirmed that Alex Rae, former player Steven Smith, Brian Gilmour, and goalkeeping coach Colin Stewart would serve on the coaching staff. And Chairman John Bennett said the process of looking for a successor was already in motion.
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“I’d like to thank Michael for his dedicated work since he re-joined the club as manager last November," he said. “It is clear that results have fallen well short of the board’s, Michael’s and our supporters’ expectations.
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Beale cut a frustrated figure during the Aberdeen defeat“The search process for the new manager is already underway. I wish Steven Davis and the interim management team every success - they will remain in charge for as long as it takes to make the right appointment.”
Beale arrived in Scotland after j ust five months in charge of QPR, and initially started well at Ibrox. He won his first four matches in charge to be named manager of the month for December, but finished the season without silverware as Celtic sealed a domestic treble.
An Old Firm defeat already this season had increased the pressure on the 43-year-old, who had previously coached at Rangers under Steven Gerrard. And the decision comes ahead of a pivotal week for the Gers', who go to Aris Limassol in the Europa League on Thursday before a trip to second placed St Mirren on Sunday.