Wolves dodged bullet with snub from new Rangers manager Michael Beale - here’s why

Wolverhampton Wanderers dodged a bullet in being snubbed by Michael Beale, as Rangers are expected to announce his appointment today, November 28. Beale was close to taking the position at Wolves left vacant by Bruno Lage, but he decided to stay at Queens Park Rangers instead out of loyalty.

This, as it turns out, was the best thing that could’ve happened for the Wanderers given Beale has now broken his promise to Rs fans. Just after he snubbed a move to Molineux, Beale explained to the QPR website how he came to his conclusion. “Integrity is a real big thing for me, and loyalty,” Beale said.

“You don’t give it to receive it back but I think if they’re the values you live by then at times when you’re put in a position then you have to be strong by them. When I joined the club in the summer I found an ownership that was really honest with me about what they wanted. They were giving me my first opportunity to be a manager.

“I took that task on with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. They enabled me to build a management team and recruit players that I really wanted to work with. [A move away] has all come a little bit too soon. I didn’t think it was the right moment because I entered into an agreement here.”

Less than a month later, Beale is going back on his word by leaving QPR for a different Rangers in Scotland. Wolves need someone who is going to put everything into helping the team get back to winning games, with a full focus on surviving the Premier League relegation battle - not someone who isn’t 100% focused on the job at hand.

Beale has often spoken about his ambitions of managing in the English top flight, so he would’ve undoubtedly put a lot of effort in, but what’s to say he wouldn’t have used Wolves in the same way he has QPR - as a stepping stone?

Julen Lopetegui is probably the better appointment on paper, too, given his immense experience and proven quality at the highest level. Regardless, even if it was a bit embarrassing for the club at the time, Wolves fans can be happy that Beale snubbed the move.