Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard is about to say goodbye to his longtime right-hand man ‘genius’ Michael Beale.
The assistant manager has worked alongside Gerrard since the Liverpool legend worked in the Reds’ youth academy, before joining him at Rangers and Villa.
Now, however, the pair could finally part ways, with Beale set to become the new manager of Championship side Queens Park Rangers, following the departure of Mark Warburton at the end of the season.
talkSPORT understands QPR are set to unveil Beale as their new manager on Wednesday.
The west London outfit are said to have shaken up competition from managerless sides Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic, both of whom are also said to be interested in Beale.
Beale’s departure could be a real loss for the Villains, given the rave reviews he received from Gerrard and some high-profile players who worked under him.
Just before helping Rangers win their first Scottish league title in ten years, Gerrard told the Robbie Fowler Podcast how committed Beale was to getting the best out of players at London-born coach Ibrox. taking most of their workouts. .
“I haven’t had the luxury of retiring early from the game or not being a player, in terms of having that court time to really coach over the last 20 years like a Brendan Rodgers, a [Jose] Mourinho or a Michael Beale,” said the former England star.
“It would take me 15/20 years to become as good as Michael Beale as a coach on the pitch, delivering daily sessions – so I let Mick be Mick Beale, because he’s the expert.”
“It would take me 15/20 years to become as good as Michael Beale as a coach on the pitch, delivering daily sessions – so I let Mick be Mick Beale, because he’s the expert.”
Former Gers striker Kyle Lafferty has described Gerrard’s assistant as “the brains” behind his side’s tactics.
Meanwhile, former Rangers star Jermain Defoe also echoed Gerrard’s praise of Beale, calling the manager a “genius”.
“He impressed me a lot,” Defoe explained on the Beautiful Game podcast.
“When I sat down and talked to Stevie before I signed he said ‘you may know Mick Beale, he’s right’. The way I see it is that in terms of tactics and things like that, he’s up there.
“I’ve worked with some of the best managers and coaches and he’s up there.
“His attention to detail and the way he gets his points across so people understand.”
“When Alfredo [Morelos] suspended, Mick came up to me and said, “JD, I’m going to change the system to make it better for you.”
“He said, ‘I’m going to put two digit ten’s in the middle so they’re close to you, so it’s easier for you.’
“We haven’t looked back, it’s unbelievable, the fact that he had this idea, and that he did it, he’s a genius.”
“The longer I was there the more I started realizing, Michael Beale, I think he’s the man behind this,” Lafferty said of the coach.
“No disrespect to Steven Gerrard, who I think is an amazing manager…but Michael Beale is behind the scenes and I think he’s the mastermind behind it all. Tactically he’s amazing.
“I think he could become a manager, because he is so good.”
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