Michael Beale rebuilds in Belgium after double sacking by Rangers and Sunderland

Michael Beale, 46, went from a double sacking by Rangers and Sunderland within six months to a hopeful new chapter in Belgium, where his Zulte Waregem side sit sixth in the top flight. The story was reported by LEWIS STEELE for FOOTBALL on 1 October 2026.

From Championship hot‑property to double sacking

Beale was one of management’s hot properties when his Queens Park Rangers side topped the English Championship, prompting a move to Rangers at Ibrox in Glasgow. The spell at Ibrox ended abruptly, and a turbulent twelve‑game stint at Sunderland produced two quick‑fire sackings, which he later described as a ‘big blip’.

A Belgian reset

After a two‑year gap that included an assistant role at Al‑Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia and work for FIFA, Beale chose a tranquil setting to rebuild. He spent his gap year visiting stadiums such as Boca Juniors’ La Bombonera and studying the NFL and NBA, noting the large coaching staffs in American sport.

In October 2026 he accepted the Zulte Waregem job, a merger club 25 years old with a data‑led model and a 24‑year‑old CEO, Michiel Beeuwsaert. He says, “I couldn’t be happier in terms of how it started,” adding that the club is punching above its weight and currently sixth in the league.

Building a new identity

Beale praises the family atmosphere, living 300 metres from the stadium and another 200 metres from the training ground, cycling or walking to work. “There is no ego,” he says, noting that players shop in the same supermarket and fans mingle at local bars.

The team have gone five games unbeaten, with notable home wins over Genk and local rivals Kortrijk, both decided by stoppage‑time strikes. Newspapers had tipped the club for relegation, yet Beale and his staff are exceeding expectations.

He has already handed debuts to several youngsters, embracing the club’s multicultural squad. Assistant Steve Colpaert looks after defenders, Mike Garrity midfielders, while Beale focuses on the forwards, using a “you versus yourself” method that involves individual player conversations about their personal goals.