GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: A general view during the pre-season friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle at Ibrox Stadium on July 18, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Due to rumors of a new manager taking over at Ibrox, Michael Beale is under greater pressure than ever to turn around Rangers’ troubles.
After Pascal Jansen’s successful tenure as head coach of AZ Alkmaar, TeamTalk stated (26 September) that the Gers are “keeping a close watch” on him. The Dutchman seems like a stronger choice than the Englishman, having advanced to the semifinals of the Europa Conference League last season and boasting a perfect league start in the Eredivisie.
Beale might soon be leaving Ibrox because alternatives are being considered. The Rangers administration could only want one more blunder before Beale’s ten-month contract is terminated.
The Rangers appear to have been searching for a replacement for some time. The Sun’s claim (13 September) that the Gers had approached former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter to replace Beale hinted that the writing could soon be on the wall, even though many teams would preserve a manager shortlist in case of a firing.
After Rangers’ unexpected 1-0 league loss to Kilmarnock on the first day of the season, the pressure was already there. However, further Old Firm losses and Rangers’ inability to advance past the group stage of the Champions League only added fuel to the fire of his impending departure.
Since Brendan Rodgers defeated Beale at Ibrox, the supporters have been vocal, with the full-time echos of boos and jeers clearly communicating their message to the Englishman. Even after beating Motherwell 1-0, he is still followed by jeers from the crowd, and this victory did not appease them.
After the key Celtic loss, Beale went on to win all three of the following games while maintaining a perfect record overall. The victory over Real Betis in the Europa League was a battle, and the Irish played well defensively to fend off waves of Spanish raids. However, the primary source of disagreement at this time is the team’s on-field results.
According to Football Scotland, Beale himself acknowledged that Motherwell’s performance fell short of expectations, saying: “[It was a] awful performance, didn’t enjoy the game. The game didn’t seem to be fun for the players or anyone watching who was rooting for us.
Beale expressed what all Rangers supporters were thinking, but he is the only one with the power to make a difference. Any loss in the upcoming games could be the manager’s last, and judging by the hierarchy’s behavior, they might already have a replacement in mind.
