Michael Beale backs QPR to beat Championship drop

Michael Beale has backed QPR to avoid relegation to League One and has reiterated that only the pull of managing Rangers saw him leave Loftus Road.

Former Aston Villa assistant Beale joined QPR in the summer as boss and led the west Londoners to the top of the Championship after 16 games.

QPR were seventh when Beale left to manage Scottish side Rangers following Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s sacking. 

The Hoops, who sacked Beale’s replacement Neil Critchley and hired Gareth Ainsworth, are one point above the bottom four with four games remaining.

“I follow every game and try to watch every game back and support the lads from afar,” Beale told talkSPORT of QPR.

“It’s been a difficult few months, unfortunately, since I left. It hasn’t worked out with Neil Cricthly, who is a close friend. 

“Gareth went in, and we know what he can give a group in terms of his energy, passion and experience.

“They have had horrific injury problems, which has really held the group back. With the games they have got, with the crowd at Loftus Road and with the atmosphere they can create, they will be ok.

“That gives Gareth the summer to mould the squad in his way. In my time there, my detailing with everyone on the board was absolutely fantastic.

“It was only this club [Rangers] which pulled me away from there. I really wish them well. 

“I know there has been a lot in the air around me leaving. It’s been a long time now, and I hope the staff and the group of players, in the next three or four games, can get the results they need to give them that oxygen going into the summer.”