Michael Beale sacked by Rangers after disastrous start to season

Michael Beale has been relieved of his duties as Rangers manager after just 10 months in charge after a poor run of early season results, the club have confirmed tonight.

The 43 year old’s dismissal comes just over 24 hours shy of a horrific 3-1 home defeat to Aberdeen – the Ibrox side’s third in just seven league games.

With the side now sitting seven points adrift of Celtic, the club have acted swiftly in parting company with Beale and his backroom staff of Neil Banfield, Damian Matthew, Harry Watling and Jack Ade.

Steven Davis will take interim charge of the team until a successor is named, although word coming out of the club tonight is that they will take their time in making this decision.

Davis will be assisted by former Rangers players Alex Rae and Steven Smith, as well Brian Gilmour and goalkeeping coach Colin Stewart.

Calls for Beale’s dismissal have grown stronger and stronger following the back to back defeats last months to PSV and Celtic, as well as a lack of a clear strategy on the pitch that has led to some poor overall displays.

The Englishman’s recruitment has also come under scrutiny, having been handed one of the largest budgets in recent club history, with all bar Jack Butland failing to get off to a great start to Scotland.

Rangers fans will now look to see who will become the 19th manager in the club’s history, with names such as Kevin Muscat, Graham Potter and Kjetil Knutsen likely to be amongst those linked with the job in the days and weeks ahead.