Michael Beale's daily commute now consists of a short bicycle ride through the tranquil streets of Belgium, linking his home to the training complex and stadium of Zulte Waregem. Yet the simplicity of this routine belies a far more complex journey that has led him to fulfil what he describes as his "biggest ambition": managing a club on the European continent. The former head coach of QPR, Rangers and Sunderland is set to oversee his first competitive fixture in more than two years on Sunday, when Zulte Waregem host title‑challenger Genk in the opening match of the Belgian Pro League season.
This appointment marks a distinct departure from the roles he has previously undertaken, whether as a senior manager, an assistant to Steven Gerrard in Scotland, England and Saudi Arabia, or during his stint as a consultant in Brazil with Sao Paulo. It is, however, a challenge he has long coveted. "Coaching in Europe has always been a major goal for me, the biggest one when I first got into management," Beale explained to Sky Sports.
The former youth‑team coach at both Chelsea and Liverpool has worked alongside Gerrard at Al‑Ettifaq and has been serving 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 club competing in a league that is steadily gaining a stronger reputation – represented the ideal platform for his next step. Having already spent two months in Belgium, Beale said he is convinced that joining Zulte Waregem was the right decision.
"The season is about to start and we are now in the results‑driven phase of the business. In terms of the club's culture, the city and my own feelings inside the organization, I couldn't be happier," he told Sky Sports from the club's stadium, where preparations for the 25th‑anniversary season are well under way. Last campaign Zulte Waregem finished 13th in the league.
The club has built a modest but profitable model based on scouting, developing and eventually selling promising young players. This model differs markedly from the high‑pressure environments Beale previously experienced at Ibrox, where survival and silverware were immediate imperatives.
Nevertheless, European qualification remains a medium‑term objective, and Beale admits he is "hugely ambitious" about pushing the club forward. The short‑term priority, however, is to make progress in a competition where many opponents enjoy considerably larger budgets. "Make no bones about it – this is a really, really tough job in a tough league and we are the have‑nots, if you like," Beale said. "There are clubs with deeper pockets and loftier expectations, but that only adds to the challenge.
The club wants to return to Europe, which is still a little way off, but the faster we can get there the better for everyone – the players, the fans and the organization. This season is about building on last year's foundation. I am extremely ambitious and eager 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 facilities and putting in long hours on the pitch.
In his free time he has been strolling through the streets of Waregem, engaging with supporters and soaking up the local atmosphere. After a period of extensive travel – during which he visited clubs around the world to broaden his tactical outlook – he says he was eager to return to a position that would demand his full concentration and energy. "I spent a few months travelling, watching different clubs and refining my ideas. The ultimate aim of all that was to land a job where I could really sink my teeth into the work, where I could invest my energy and focus," he noted.
The pre‑season campaign has been unbeaten, generating optimism among the squad and the fan base. Beale now wants to translate that positivity into a compelling start against Genk. "We've been waiting for this first game all weekend," Beale said. "I know there are 33 more matches after this, but the focus is on the opener.
Everyone wants to see a team that puts on a good show on the weekend. It will be a tough test, but with our fans behind us we intend to create problems for the opposition." Following the Genk clash, Zulte Waregem will travel to face another title contender, Union Saint‑Gilloise, setting up a challenging opening stretch to the campaign.
Beale welcomes the difficulty, viewing it as an opportunity to prove his methods. When asked whether he feels the need to silence critics after his brief spell at Sunderland, Beale replied with confidence: "I'm living my dream.
I'm doing exactly what I wanted to do, so I try to enjoy it and not get distracted by outside noise." He added, "There are not many British coaches managing in Europe right now, so I feel privileged to have this chance and that's why I jumped in head‑first. I don't see it as just a job – it's my passion. It's a true honour to be an English manager taking charge of a Belgian side in the Belgian league this weekend."