John Percy: QPR make approach for Aston Villa coach Michael Beale
QPR are trying to hire Michael Beale as their new manager and have made an approach to Aston Villa for his services, according to John Percy.
Writing on his personal Twitter account on Thursday (26 May), the Telegraph journalist reported that an “official approach” has been made by the Championship club for Beale, who arrived at Villa Park in November as Steven Gerrard’s assistant.
It is understood that QPR “want to hold talks” with the 41-year-old as he’s high on their list of managers to replace Mark Warburton.
Great opportunity
Beale is a highly-rated coach within the game.
The Englishman has worked alongside Gerrard at Liverpool, Rangers and Aston Villa while he’s also had a spell in Brazil with Sao Paulo and with Chelsea, where his coaching career began in 2003.
He’s never managed a senior side before – but QPR would be a great opportunity for him.
QPR finished in a respectable 11th-place in the Championship this season with Warburton as their manager, playing some decent football in the process.
The West London club has a decent academy, which could be utilised by an experienced youth coach in Beale while they also have some good first-team players too.
Seny Dieng, Rob Dickie, Sam Field, Ilias Chair and Chris Willock are all good players for the Championship and are ones who’ll no doubt benefit from the coaching of someone with the expertise of Beale.
Should Villa let him go?
It’ll be a tough decision if they do allow him to enter talks with QPR and it’ll also be tough for Gerrard, who’s no doubt relied heavily on the 41-year-old in the early stages of his managerial career.
But the club really shouldn’t be letting an opportunity like this pass for Beale.
In other Aston Villa news, Villa are offering £120,000-a-week to sign James Tarkowski.