MICHAEL BEALE has been cleared for a return to Rangers as manager - with QPR chiefs insisting a move to Glasgow wouldn't be blocked.

The former Ibrox coach is the early favourite to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst who was sacked on Monday.

The Dutchman was relieved of his duties with Rangers nine points off the pace at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Ibrox chiefs deemed results and performances unacceptable in recent months with the search for the next manager launched immediately.

And Beale was an immediate contender for the post given his soaring reputation as a manager and connection with the Rangers support.

The highly-rated coach helped Steven Gerrard guide Rangers to the title in 2020/21 and has since gone on to work as a manager in his own right at QPR.

Beale was targeted by Wolves for a move to the Premier League but turned down an approach to remain at the London club.

However, the Daily Record claim Beale is interested in a return to Ibrox to take on the top job - with QPR due to land £1.5million in compensation if Beale is appointed.

QPR director of football Les Ferdinand also admitted he wouldn't block a move to Glasgow for Beale as he cleared the way for an official approach.

He told the newspaper: “I haven’t spoken to Michael or Rangers about this.

"But I expected Michael’s name would be mentioned for the role at Rangers because he did such a good job while he was up there working with Steven Gerrard.

"I don't want to have to fight to keep anyone at QPR. I want people who want to be here. That’s the only way we can move forward.

“If they want to be somewhere else, that’s what they’re going to do.

"We’d have to have a conversation. It’s not that I’d be happy to have it but I only want people at the football club who want to be here.”

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