Michael Beale is expected to be in Glasgow on Monday to finalise dream move to Rangers. And the deal could even be announced exactly one week on from Gio van Bronckhorst's sacking as boss.
The Rangers squad look set to return to training on Monday without a new manager firmly in charge although talks are not expected to drag on much longer. It's understood the Englishman is happy with his transfer budget for his Ibrox project amid fears he would have to rebuild van Bronckhorst's group on the cheap with limited resources in the January transfer window.
The outgoing boss appeared to be pointing to budget issues yesterday when he broke his silence to explained why he flopped as Steven Gerrard's replacement. Van Bronckhorst was binned after just one year in charge - with former chairman Dave King suggesting the manager was undermined by a series of broken promises from the boardroom over transfer spending.
And van Bronckhorst wrote on social media: "This season, like every year at Rangers, the first priority is domestic success. I understand the hurt when wins become draws, and worse, when we experience defeat. That isn't acceptable at a club of Rangers' standing, no one understood that and felt that more than I did. I faced unique challenges and some very difficult circumstances to operate in."
Sources in Holland are adamant that he was left short-changed by his employers after the sales of Nathan Patterson, Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey - and despite banking a £40million fortune by qualifying for the Champions League.
QPR boss Beale is now set to replace van Bronckhorst after a series of talks in London last week and over the weekend. But while an official announcement had been expected ahead of the players returning to training today, Beale's return will almost certainly be rubber-stamped in the next 24 hours.
Former first team coach Beale left Rangers one year ago to follow previous boss Steven Gerrard to Aston Villa. That shock move resulted in an S.O.S. call to Van Bronckhorst who arrived midway through the season with his side six points clear at the top of the table.
Van Bronckhorst allowed that lead to slip but did manage to lead Rangers on a historic run to the Europa League final while lifting a first Scottish Cup in 13 years. And, in an emotional message to the club’s supporters, he said yesterday: “The opportunity to manage an institution like Rangers FC is a privilege which very few are afforded. As a former player, I understood the responsibility and magnitude of the task.
“My backroom team and I worked with energy, passion and were driven with a belief that we could achieve amazing things. We treated our roles with respect, optimism and determination. We experienced some incredible highs, especially on our European journey to Seville. Winning the Scottish Cup for the first time in over a decade and qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League is something I am very proud of.
“The passion of our support drove us on to achieve those wonderful memories. For that, I am forever grateful to every single one of you who travelled near and far, spent your hard earned money, and never gave up supporting our team.”
And Van Bronckhorst signed off by adding: “Rangers FC will always be in my heart and I wish the club all the success for the future. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger.”
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