Steven Gerrard ‘disappointed’ as high-profile Aston Villa deal is completed – pundit
Alan Hutton has insisted Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard “will be disappointed” to lose Michael Beale to QPR despite giving the exit his blessing.
The former Villa defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 41-year-old coach is “very highly thought of and highly regarded in the football world”.
Aston Villa confirmed on Wednesday (1 June) that assistant head coach Beale has left the club to take up the vacant manager’s post at Loftus Road.
Gerrard appointed Beale to his backroom staff when he took the Rangers job in the summer of 2018 and the pair linked up yet again upon his Villa Park appointment last year (2021).
Aston Villa have moved quickly to secure a replacement, appointing Blackpool manager Neil Critchley on Thursday (2 June) to fill the vacancy.
“Nothing was hidden from Michael Beale’s point of view,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“He always wanted to go out on his own, and Gerrard will have given his blessing – but I think he’s very highly thought of and highly regarded in the football world.
“It’s very different to go from being a top coach to being a top manager. There’s a lot of pressure, and he’ll feel that when he’s in the hot seat at QPR.
“Of course, Gerrard will be disappointed to lose someone who was such a big part of what he does.
“He’ll have to move on himself, and they’ve brought a replacement in already.”
Football Insider revealed on Friday (3 June) that Beale had a “tense relationship” with a number of Aston Villa stars prior to his exit.
A Villa Park source explained that the coach fell out with midfield star John McGinn, 27, among others – before quitting his post.
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