Return: Michael Beale

Rangers have turned to former coach Michael Beale in a bid to wrestle the league title back from Celtic.

The 42-year-old has left Queens Park Rangers to sign a contract until 2026 at Ibrox, the Englishman securing a return to the club where he enjoyed success as part of Steven Gerrard’s backroom team.

Beale was a key member of the coaching staff at Ibrox as Rangers lifted the league title in 2021, before moving on to Aston Villa with Gerrard.

The Englishman has been in charge for just six weeks at QPR, and recently turned down the chance to manage Wolves in the English Premier League, citing “loyalty and integrity” as his reasons for staying.

“I am hugely proud, it is a wonderful, wonderful football club, it is an institution,” said Beale after succeeding Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

“For everyone that works here it is a huge privilege, but to be the manager of this football club, that is extremely special. Some wonderful people have sat in this chair prior to me, and I am hugely proud to be the person sat here now.”

Rangers sacked Van Bronckhorst earlier this month after a run of poor league results and a disastrous Champions League campaign.

A club statement said: “Michael Beale is the 18th manager of Rangers with the club delighted to confirm his appointment today. Signing a contract to 2026, the 42-year-old joins from his role as manager of Queens Park Rangers in West London having previously worked as first-team coach at Ibrox from 2018 to last November.

“It is an exciting appointment for the club, with Beale undoubtedly one of the most sought-after young managers in British football.

“Beale has strong, existing relationships with many members of the first-team squad, and, of course, fully understands the unique nature of Rangers Football Club and the demands and standards that come with representing the club.”

The squad is back in training this week after a break for the World Cup and the new manager will have to hit the ground running with his team trailing league leaders Celtic by nine points.

Rangers’ first match back is against Hibs at Ibrox on 15 December, and with the squad in need of a major upgrade, the opening of the January transfer window will mark a vital period for the Beale and his coaching staff of Neil Banfield, Harry Watling and Damian Matthew who have all joined him in Glasgow.