Beale infamously professed his loyalty to QPR before leaving for Rangers less than two months later and Ferdinand says things turned sour.
Les Ferdinand, the former sports director of QPR, has disclosed how the atmosphere at the London club became “toxic” after Michael Beale’s departure to the Rangers in 2022.
Beale isn’t well-liked at Loftus Road since his ostensibly lengthy tenure as manager lasted less than half a year. Things were looking great for him following a stellar start to the season, and he declared his “loyalty” to them after turning down a Wolves approach. But when he departed to return to Ibrox, where he had previously worked as Steven Gerrard’s right hand man, a month later, he was widely criticized in the English media for being a hypocrite.
Up until last summer, Ferdinand served as the athletic director there. He expressed his disappointment with the way he departed and the bad vibe he left behind. “He had the players eating out of the palm of his hand, then when he left and it got a bit toxic,” he said in an interview with the Stick to Football podcast. I was very, really let down. As I said before, Michael Beale appeared out of nowhere and received little attention. Though he had never reached the top, people were talking about him.
“We believed that’s what we were searching for after looking at him and the requirements. He was amazing as he arrived through the door. I often tell people that even though he’s had a few bad stints at Rangers and Sunderland, he will eventually become a good manager. This is something that people still repeat to me. The last two tasks he attempted failed.
Rangers players “all feel responsible,” according to James Tavernier, for Michael Beale’s dismissal.
Speaking candidly about his approach from Wolves and his subsequent departure to Rangers, Ferdinand disclosed an open conversation he had with the Englishman before to making the decision to remain. But he also says that long before it occurred, he predicted his impending departure to Ibrox.
“Wolves were the first club to come,” he said, “and even then, if you speak to him, he’ll tell you this, Wolves came in the day we were playing Hull at home.” “Can you believe they’ve called on a match day?” said the CEO once they entered and chatted with him.
“We need to say something to you because it will be in the press tomorrow,” I told Michael after the game. Michael said he was unaware that it would occur today. “Don’t lie to me if you want us to stay friends; I haven’t lied to you in the entire time you’ve been at this football club,” I remarked.
He claimed to have known they were arriving but had been unaware that it was today. “What do you want to do?” I asked. I want you to stay at QPR. I’m the director of football. I want you to stay with this football team no matter where we go or where we are.
“I had my QPR jacket on and I took it off. I turned and said, ‘now I’m Les Ferdinand talking to you, and you’ve got to do what is best for you and your family.’ And he said to me ‘now that you’ve done that and you’ve taken the badge out and spoken to me like a human being, I can’t leave this football club.’
“And then Rangers came in. To be honest, when he came to the football club and we’ve all done it. When people talk to me about Newcastle it was the best period of my life in football. I have fond, fond memories of Newcastle. Michael Beale had fond memories of Rangers. Whenever he spoke about any of the clubs he’s been at, Rangers was the one he spoke about with most fondness.
“I always said to the owners if we’re going to lose Michael Beale, in a year or two, I think it will be to Rangers. That’s the only club, unbeknown they were going to come as soon as they did. Him thinking this may never happen again. When he came to us and said he was interested, you know he’s not interested here anymore.”
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