Michael Beale is back in professional football, taking up the head coach role at Belgian top-flight side Zulte Waregem.
The Pro League club becomes the fourth staging post in Beale’s individual managerial career and it could prove to be a shrewd choice of destination.
Post-Rangers, the former assistant to Steven Gerrard appeared to jump into the Sunderland jump too soon.
His QPR to Rangers to the Mackems trajectory was a painful and damaging time for the Bromley’s native’s reputation, and it would have taken its toll, personally.
Too much too soon for Beale
Beale’s summer transfer window in 2023 was a horrendous one for Rangers.
He was effectively handed the keys to the castle, but his vision never came to fruition.
Danilo, Dessers, Lammers, Cifuentes, Dowell, Sterling, and Butland.
It was too much too soon, and the reputation he had built up next to Gerrard was in tatters.
Ultimately, the game was up by October 2023, despite the apparent progress of the previous mid-season. Sounds familiar.
Beale will likely point to his impressive win rate at Ibrox.
His 72% win rate has only been bettered by Ally McCoist, who operated for much of his time in the Scottish lower leagues.
He got plenty of points on the board, but he couldn’t get the important ones over the line and fell victim to the intense demands at Ibrox.
Michael Beale takes up new job in Belgium
Beale’s new role at SV Zulte Waregem marks his return to management after more than two years.
After Sunderland, he worked as assistant manager to Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.
He has penned a two-year deal, after a lengthy dialogue and consultation with the West Flanders side, and they believe their aims are aligned.
Beale told the club’s official website:
“Over the past few weeks, I have gotten to know the club very well. Various conversations with the sporting department revealed that our ambition and football vision align strongly.
“It is an honour for me to soon lead a club like Zulte Waregem. Together with the staff, we are now preparing for the new football season and reviewing the further composition of our coaching team.
“I look forward to meeting the fans for the first time at the start of the new season as well.”
At this modest club in Belgium, Michael Beale is not operating in an intense environment, which will give him time and space to build and grow.
It could be just what he needs to galvanise his coaching career.
