Michael Beale makes surprise return to management two years after last job

Michael Beale has been appointed Zulte Waregem manager.

The 45-year-old joins the Belgian side on a two-year deal and marks his first managerial role since he was sacked by Sunderland in February 2024.

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Beale: Joining Zulte Waregem is an ‘honour’

“Over the past few weeks, I have gotten to know the club very well,” Beale said.

“Various conversations with the sporting department revealed that our ambition and football vision align strongly.

“It is an honor for me to soon lead a club like Zulte Waregem.

“Together with the staff, we are now preparing for the new football season and reviewing the further composition of our coaching team.

“I look forward to meeting the fans for the first time at the start of the new season as well.”

Zulte Waregem sports manager Niels Leroy highlighted Beale’s ambitious nature as a key reason behind his appointment, with the hope that he continually raises the bar ‘a little higher’ each season.

“The appointment of Michael as head coach is a new step for us towards sporting stability and ambition,” Leroy said.

“During the discussions, Michael made a strong impression and was able to perfectly translate his football vision to the qualities of our team.

“Last season, Steve Colpaert and the coaching staff succeeded in quickly securing survival. We are therefore convinced that they will perfectly support Michael in his ambition to raise the bar a little higher every year.”

How did Zulte Waregem perform in the 25/26 season?

Beale takes over a Zulte Waregem side that finished 13th in the Belgian Pro League this term, dropping them into the relegation play-offs.

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However, the West Flanders outfit won five and drew one of their six games against their fellow relegation rivals, ensuring they would be safe for another season.

One player Beale will be excited to work with is Danish forward Jeppe Erenbjerg, who bagged 14 goals for Zulte Waregem.

For Beale, the Zulte Waregem role marks the fourth stop in his managerial career.

He began at Championship side Queens Park Rangers in June 2022 and oversaw an impressive run of eight wins in 11 games that had the west London side at the top of the table.

However, QPR’s form entered a tailspin of four losses in five games after Wolves unsuccessfully attempted to poach Beale from Loftus Road.

But there was nothing QPR could do to stop Beale from moving north to Scottish giants Rangers in November 2022.

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Under Beale, Rangers finished the 2022/23 Scottish Premiership in second with 93 points, the largest runners-up total in league history.

Despite a bright start in Glasgow, the wheels came unstuck in his second term and a run of three losses in seven games brought the end of Beale’s tenure.

Beale was only out of work for a handful of months though as Sunderland elected to roll the dice on him.

However, Beale’s time at the Stadium of Light lasted only 12 games before he was sacked.