Michael Beale’s daily commute now consists of a short bicycle ride down the tranquil streets of Belgium, from his home to the training complex and stadium of Zulte Waregem. Yet that seemingly modest routine masks a long, winding road that has finally led him to achieve what he has always described as his "biggest ambition": managing a club in Europe. The former manager of QPR, Rangers and Sunderland is set to take charge of his first competitive match in more than two years on Sunday, when Zulte Waregem host title‑challengers Genk in the opening fixture of the Belgian Pro League season.
This appointment marks a distinct shift from the roles he has previously undertaken, whether as head coach, as an assistant to Steven Gerrard in Scotland, England and Saudi Arabia, or as a consultant during his stint in Brazil with São Paulo. It also represents the opportunity he has long coveted.
"Coaching in Europe has always been a massive ambition of mine. It was the biggest goal I set for myself when I first got into coaching," Beale explained to Sky Sports.
The former youth‑team coach at both Chelsea and Liverpool has worked alongside Gerrard at Al Ettifaq and has acted as a consultant since his last managerial spell ended in February 2024. While other offers to return to the dugout have surfaced over the past months, Beale felt that the vacancy in West Flanders – a league that is steadily gaining respect on the continent – was the perfect fit. Having already spent two months in the city, Beale says he is convinced that taking the reins at Zulte Waregem was the right decision. "The season is about to start and we are now entering the phase where results will speak for themselves.
As far as the club’s culture, the city, and my own feelings go, I couldn’t be happier," he told Sky Sports from the club’s stadium, where preparations for the 25th‑anniversary season are in full swing. Last season, Zulte Waregem finished 13th in the Belgian top flight.
The club has built a reputation for scouting, developing and eventually selling promising young talent – a model that has proven financially rewarding but is far removed from the high‑pressure, win‑or‑die environment Beale experienced during his time at Ibrox. Nonetheless, the Englishman is eager to raise the club’s profile.
European qualification is a medium‑term target, and he describes himself as "hugely ambitious," while acknowledging that the immediate task is to compete against better‑funded opponents. "Make no mistake – this is an incredibly tough job in a very competitive league, and we are the underdogs financially," Beale admitted. "There are clubs with deeper pockets and loftier expectations, which makes the challenge all the more appealing. The aim is to get Zulte Waregem back into Europe, even if that goal feels a little distant right now.
The sooner we can achieve it, the better for the players, the fans and the club as a whole. This season, though, is about building on last year’s foundation and pushing forward. I’m extremely ambitious and I want to see how far we can go." Beale has thrown himself into the role during an eight‑week pre‑season, establishing a base close to the training ground and putting in long hours on the pitch. Evenings have been spent strolling through the historic streets of Waregem, chatting with supporters and soaking up the local atmosphere.
After a period of extensive travel – visiting clubs across the globe to broaden his tactical understanding – he says he was eager to return to a position where he could apply his ideas with full commitment. "I spent several months traveling, meeting different clubs and absorbing new concepts. The ultimate purpose of that journey was to come back to a job where I could really sink my teeth into the work, devote my energy and focus," Beale reflected. The unbeaten pre‑season results have generated optimism among the squad and the fan base, and the manager is keen to translate that positivity into a strong start against Genk.
"We have been counting down to this first match against Genk. Yes, there are 33 more games after this, but the focus is on the opening weekend," he said. "Everyone wants to see a team that plays with confidence and makes a good impression.
It will be a tough test, but with our supporters behind us, we intend to create problems for our opponents." Following the Genk clash, Zulte Waregem will travel to face Union Saint‑Gilloise, another club expected to fight for the title. Beale acknowledges that the opening two fixtures will be a stern examination of his ideas, but he welcomes the challenge. When asked whether he feels the need to prove himself after a brief and turbulent spell at Sunderland, Beale replied with a smile: "I’m living my dream. I’m doing exactly what I set out to do, so I’m trying to enjoy it and not get distracted by any external noise." "Being a head coach in Europe has always been my goal.
There aren’t many British managers doing it, so I feel privileged to have this chance and I jumped in head‑first," he added. "I don’t see it as just a job – it’s my passion. It’s an honour to be an English coach leading a Belgian side in the Belgian league this weekend." In summary, Michael Beale’s appointment at Zulte Waregem represents the culmination of a long‑standing personal ambition, a fresh professional challenge, and an opportunity to shape a club with a strong developmental ethos.
As the season unfolds, the eyes of both Belgian football followers and British coaching enthusiasts will be on Waregem to see whether Beale can turn his dream into tangible success, guiding the team toward higher league positions and, eventually, a return to European competition.