Michael Beale has been handed a vote of confidence by his Belgian club Zulte Waregem after four consecutive defeats. The former Rangers and Sunderland boss, appointed at the start of the season, has seen his side struggle recently despite an encouraging opening.
Club backs Beale despite poor run
Zulte Waregem's sports director, Niels Leroy, has moved to reassure the English coach about his position. Leroy said: "Michael Beale is not under pressure right now. We are confident that we can turn things around and pick up points in the upcoming games."
He added: "But even if we were to lose three more games in a row, that wouldn't automatically mean we're going to fire Michael. At this club, we always consider the bigger picture. And we have a philosophy here that we don't part ways with a coach lightly. As long as our analysis of a situation gives us sufficient reasons for hope, there is no reason to dismiss a coach."
Beale refunds fans after defeat
The vote of confidence follows a difficult week for Beale, who personally paid to refund travelling supporters' ticket prices after a 3-0 defeat at La Louviere. Beale, a Londoner, was chosen by the Rangers board to replace Gio van Bronckhorst in November 2022, returning to Ibrox just 10 months after leaving alongside title-winning boss Steven Gerrard for Aston Villa.
His second spell at Rangers began well, but after a big-money summer recruitment drive, results deteriorated and he was sacked following a 3-1 home defeat to Aberdeen after just 10 months in charge. He then endured a disappointing spell at Sunderland before attempting to revive his coaching career in Belgium.
