When Michael Beale showed up in the crowd v Aberdeen that day, it left a huge spectre of disrespect looming over exit-bound Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Whilst the Dutchman’s side would thrash the Dons 4-1 at Ibrox that afternoon, there were already whispers that Beale was being eyed to take over amid mounting pressure on the Dutchman.
Then of QPR, the entire scenario was a sorry one for the ex-Ibrox assistant who jumped ship to Rangers as soon as the call came from the Ibrox board.
The now ex-Rangers manager – who was lambasted for a perceived lack of loyalty to QPR – has always maintained the visit was innocently above board.
That hasn’t stopped Giovanni van Bronckhorst slamming Michael Beale in the press, claiming “I don’t think you should really do that as a fellow manager”.
Michael Beale on Giovanni van Bronckhorst “shock”
Now, Michael Beale has appeared to respond to the situation and claims that it was a “shock” to be asked to take over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Rangers back in November 2022.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Ibrox gaffer claims the Dutchman was doing a good job at the club but that when the call came, he quite simply couldn’t turn the offer down.
“I have got so much admiration for Rangers and I live in that part of the world,” said Michael Beale. “It’s a fantastic football club.
“I went back in last season. It was a shock really to be asked to go because I felt Giovanni van Bronckhorst did a fantastic job.
“But when you’re asked to go back to Rangers, a club that meant a lot to me, the relationships.”
What went wrong for Michael Beale at Rangers?
Speaking about his doomed stint at Rangers, Michael Beale has also been touching on what went wrong for him at the club.
Coming into Ibrox with the side nine points behind Celtic, the Gers couldn’t catch the Parkhead side in the league and Beale was dumped out of both cups at the hands of our Old Firm rivals.
Nonetheless, the ex-Rangers manager believes his old side have what it takes to regain the title and admits he’s “kicking every ball” in support.
“We started ever so well but Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic, we were already nine points behind, and they were going great guns.
“Going into this season it’s fair to say we probably disrupted the group too much too soon,” said Beale.
“There was a lot of turnover of players and on the outside but I think Philippe Clement has started really well.
“The potential of that group is to go on and win that league, it’s already won the League Cup and I always felt that would come through.
“I hope (they will go and win the league). I am obviously kicking every ball and supporting them as you would.”
Michael Beale went on to manage Sunderland in the aftermath of his Rangers sacking but amid mounting fan pressure lasted only 12 games in charge at the Stadium of Light.
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