Jamie Carragher has told Sky Sports that it is a “big jump” to go to back to Rangers for Michael Beale but has backed the new Ibrox boss to perform well and handle the pressure of managing such a big club – having been there before.
Beale, 42, returns to Rangers a little over 12 months after leaving alongside Steven Gerrard to go to Aston Villa. Beale, as Gerrard’s first-team coach, spent three and a half years at Rangers. He helped them win the Premiership, unbeaten.
He moved to Villa and in the summer, embarked on his own managerial career. After nine wins in 22 games for QPR, he is back at Rangers – having already rejected Premier League side Wolves. He has been criticised for a lack of loyalty.
But Carragher says the ties he has made at Rangers will have pulled on the heartstrings of Beale to leave QPR. More so, than a move to the Premier League. He says it is a leap to go from QPR to Rangers – but knows he can handle the size.
“It was obvious at some stage he was going to take that step from QPR. There was a lot of talk he would move into the Premier League. But his ties at Rangers, having worked there , being successful alongside Steven Gerrard at the time.
“t was obvious since being in Liverpool’s academy that Mick Beale has wanted a crack in management. A great start at QPR, a big jump to Rangers – a huge club. But he has tasted that before. I’m sure he is well aware of how big it is.”
Carragher: A big jump for Beale to go back to Rangers, backs Ibrox boss
All eyes turn to December 15. Rangers have a friendly against Bayer Leverkusen, but they return to competitive football against Hibernian – a home clash. Having a match at Ibrox first might just help Beale generate early momentum.
Can Beale return Rangers to the glory days of an unbeaten season under Gerrard – and the second half of last season? Without a doubt. Will he? That is another question, but he will need to sort out numerous issues currently at Ibrox.
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