Michael Beale moves to Loftus Road from Premier League side Aston Villa, where he served as assistant manager to Steven Gerrard; Neil Critchley led Blackpool to promotion from League One and managed them successfully to a mid-table position last term.
Thursday 2 June 2022 19:12, UK
Queens Park Rangers have appointed Michael Beale as the club's new head coach on a three-year contract, while Blackpool boss Neil Critchley has replaced him at Aston Villa.
Beale moves to Loftus Road from Villa, where he served as assistant head coach to Steven Gerrard, with the position having now been filled by Critchley.
QPR carried out a rigorous process to find a successor to Mark Warburton whose contract expired at the end of the season. Gerrard gave Beale his blessing to leave Villa Park and take his first job as a number one with the Championship club.
"It's fantastic to be here," said Beale. "I've been looking for the right opportunity and I think I have that now - the right club, the right people, the right ambition and the right support.
"I'm a London boy and know everything this club stands for. This is a wonderful opportunity for me and a really good time for the club as well.
"I've been left a solid platform by Mark Warburton, which I'm obviously pleased about, and that enables me to kick on from here on in.
"I want us to be a front foot and high-intensity team, in and out of possession. I want Loftus Road to be a real cauldron for us - I've been to games here and I know just how much the fans can impact the team on the pitch.
"We've got a young, hungry team and everyone has their best days in front of them. I'm absolutely excited about working with the players that we already have here.
"The players played in an attractive style last season and now I'm looking to add my stamp to that, so that we can kick on even further."
Sky Sports News understands Villa were always aware of Beale's desire to forge his own career as a manager when he and Gerrard were appointed in November.
QPR were on the fringes of automatic promotion in February but won just three of their final 18 league matches to fall out of play-off contention and finish 11th.
Meanwhile, Critchley joins Gerrard having crossed paths when coaching the U18s and U23s at Liverpool Academy after joining in 2013. He twice took charge of the senior Liverpool side twice during the 2019/20 season. One of those occasions was against Villa for a Carabao Cup tie with the Reds' first team away at the Club World Cup.
"Neil Critchley was my number one choice when looking for a new assistant head coach," said Gerrard. "He is a fantastic coach who I have obviously worked with before and know his qualities. We look forward to welcoming him to Aston Villa."
Critchley led Blackpool to promotion from League One via the play-offs during his first full season at the helm and managed them successfully to a mid-table position last term.
Blackpool owner Simon Sadler said: "Neil has been a consummate professional ever since arriving at Blackpool and really bought into what this Club and Town are all about. He has built up strong relationships with the staff, players and supporters and made some special memories for us all.
"Naturally, we are disappointed to lose him, but thank him for all that he has achieved during his time at Bloomfield Road and wish him well in the Premier League with Aston Villa.
"Our primary focus now turns to succession planning and making the best possible appointment to continue taking this great Club of ours forward."
Beale, 41, joined Gerrard and Gary McAllister at Rangers in 2018 before they led the club to a first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years.
After ending his playing career at the age of 21, Beale began coaching at Chelsea's academy, working with Tammy Abraham and Dominic Solanke during their rise through the club's ranks.
He then took an offer to join Liverpool's academy, starting with the U16s before becoming coach of the U23s where he first started to work alongside Gerrard, who was working with the U18s at the time.
In January 2017, Beale moved to Brazilian club Sao Paulo, learning Portuguese to be assistant to Rogerio Ceni but they were axed six months later.
Villa finished 14th in the Premier League this season after being in relegation danger when Gerrard was appointed.
