Lee Hendrie has told Sky Sports that he would like to see QPR manager Michael Beale return to Aston Villa to replace Steven Gerrard, only a matter of months after he left Villa for the London side – after Beale rejected a move to Wolves.
Beale, 42, was Gerrard’s first-team coach at Aston Villa and before, during his three-year stint at Rangers as manager. But in the summer, Beale chose to pursue his own path – leaving Villa to take over at Championship side QPR.
He has made a wonderful start. Taking a mid-table Championship side in the R’s to the top of the Championship table after 15 league games in charge. But The Telegraph report that he rejected the chance to take over at Wolves.
Asked about who he would like to take over at Villa, club legend Hendrie thinks Beale would be a good appointment. He discussed the idea of bringing Mauricio Pochettino to the club, but he thinks Beale should be the no.1 target.
“I remember speaking to Kris Boyd about it, he was saying this guy is top drawer,” Hendrie said. “Having him alongside Steven is a massive help. He’s got the experience. Now he’s at QPR, and been fantastic. Ironically, Wolves wanted him.
“Him knowing the football club, someone like that would be a good introduction to taking over. All the fans would love to have a Pochettino. But I would love someone like Beale, would strive to take the club forwards.”
Hendrie would like to see QPR manager Beale return to Villa
It would be a surprise to see Beale choose to return to Villa, after rejecting Wolves. But one may argue that Villa are better replaced than their Midlands rivals Wolves, and have more cash on hand to spend. Of course, Beale knows Villa.
He knows the club a lot more than Wolves. There might have been criticism from Villa fans had he gone to Wolves, but that backlash is not there if he decides to join Villa. There is more of a chance for Beale to go to Villa, than Wolves.
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