Steven Gerrard has dropped a hint that Micky Beale was keen to quit Ibrox for Aston Villa in November 2021.
After a tough start to the start of the 21/22 season and fearing the impact of Ange Postecoglou, Gerrard quit Ibrox in mid-season, leaving David McCallum in charge of a League Cup semi-final with Giovanni van Bronckhorst poised to take over.
Dean Smith was sacked by Villa on November 7, just four days later Gerrard, Beale and Gary McAllister were wheeled out at Villa Park discussing their excitement at the new chapter in their coaching careers.
The Sun reports Gerrard saying:
In a perfect world I would never have left that way and I completely understand the frustrations that the club and supporters felt when I left Rangers.
When the opportunity arose, as well as being able to manage a club of Villa’s stature in the Premier League, the chance to be nearer to my family was very important in my decision making.
There were also members of my coaching staff who were eager to test themselves in the Premier League.
Birmingham is 100 miles by road from Liverpool, Glasgow is 219 miles from Gerrard’s family home.
McAllister had previously coached in England at Middlesbrough, Villa and Liverpool as well as managing Leeds United.
Beale had only coached at youth level in England before Gerrard took him to Ibrox.
Should non-Scottish referees be appointed for future Glasgow Derbies?
Yes- the only possible answer
No, best to stick with our local refs
