Queens Park Rangers have reportedly given head coach Michael Beale permission to speak with Rangers about the vacant managerial position at Ibrox after receiving an official approach from the Scottish giants.
The Gers are on the lookout for a successor to Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who was relieved of his duties on Monday after just over a year in charge of the club.
The Dutchman's team recorded the worst-ever Champions League group-stage campaign earlier this season, losing all six matches and finishing with a -22 goal difference, while they have also slipped nine points behind Scottish Premiership holders Celtic.
Beale has emerged as one of the bookmakers' favourites to replace Van Bronckhorst in Glasgow, and Sky Sports News journalist Dharmesh Sheth reports that QPR have granted the 42-year-old permission to hold talks with Rangers.
It is understood that Beale would welcome the opportunity to speak with Rangers, where he spent three years as Steven Gerrard's assistant coach between 2018 and 2021.
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Beale is thought to have maintained a good relationship with the Gers hierarchy and negotiations between both parties could "move quickly".
After his spell with Rangers, the Bromley-born coach followed Gerrard to Aston Villa in November 2021 before he was appointed head coach at QPR in June this year – taking the reins of his first senior managerial role.
Beale was approached by Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, with the Premier League side identifying him as their top target to replace Bruno Lage.
Despite admitting that he has ambitions of managing in the English top flight, Beale turned down the approach from Wolves, citing that "integrity" and "loyalty" were major factors in his decision to stay with QPR.
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Beale made a strong start to his tenure at QPR and his side were sitting at the summit of the Championship table in the middle of October.
However, a run of four defeats and one draw in their last five league matches has seen them slip to seventh in the standings, seven points behind the automatic promotion places and 10 points adrift of Burnley at the top.
It is understood that Rangers have also considered other candidates for the vacant managerial position, with the likes of Botafogo manager Luis Castro and former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl linked with the Ibrox hotseat.
However, Beale is believed to be the Gers' primary target and he could be appointed in time to take charge of their mid-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen on December 10, five days before their Scottish Premiership campaign resumes against Hibernian.
Oliver Thomas
