28-05-2025
Ex-Rangers boss Michael Beale 'emerges as shock contender alongside Champions League legend for obscure European job'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
MICHAEL BEALE is reportedly one of the names being considered to take over as manager at a newly-promoted European club.
The former Rangers manager, 44, could make a shock return to Europe after spending the last few months in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq.
Sign up for the Rangers newsletter
Sign up
2
Michael Beale when he was Rangers manager
Credit: Reuters
2
He could return to Europe in a shock appointment
Credit: Reuters
Beale was brought to the Middle East by Steven Gerrard in November and has continued his role since the Liverpool legend was axed in January.
We told you last week how Beale has been in talks over a return to England with Hull City looking for a new manager.
The Tigers have yet to land their replacement for Ruben Selles but it's believed Miron Muslic is now the frontrunner to take over the hot-seat.
But the ex-Light Blues coach and boss has other options on the table as he eyes a move away from Saudi Arabia.
Turkish outlet Ajansspor claim Beale is one of three foreign gaffers in the running to be the next manager of a club in the Super Lig.
Kocaelispor will feature in the top flight next season after winning the second division but they'll battle the likes of Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce with a new boss in charge after parting ways with title-winning gaffer Ismet Tasdemir.
The Kocaeli-based outfit have been on the hunt for a new coach for a number of weeks and Beale has now emerged as a shock contender.
It's stated Markus Gisdol, Emre Belozoglu and Selcuk Inan were the initial frontrunners, but Beale and a Champions League legend have now been added to the shortlist.
Croatia icon Robert Prosinecki, who was part of the famous Red Star Belgrade European Cup winning side, has also joined the running.
However, other reports from Turkey claim a stumbling block has emerged regarding the pursuit of the former Sunderland and QPR boss.
Robert Grieve & Bill Leckie have the very latest on the Rangers manager situation as Steven Gerrard & Russell Martin emerge as front-runners
It's said club chiefs have been in talks with Beale's representatives over the last few days but they have now reached an impasse.
His salary is not believed to be an issue but the 44-year-old has reportedly demanded a long-term contract which Kocaelispor are not willing to agree to.
It's also stated that Beale wants to live in Istanbul - an hour's drive from Kocaeli - and he hopes to have a large say in the day-to-day running of the club, which the board are not keen on.
It seems like the Englishman's demands will put him far down the pecking order, with Kocaelispor's higher-ups keen to appoint their new manager as soon as possible.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
