Former Rangers boss puts hand in his own pocket after 'humbling' defeat as fans promised personal refund

Former Rangers manager Michael Beale has vowed to ‘personally refund’ Zulte-Waregem fans after a ‘humbling defeat in the Belgian Pro League.

The Englishman took on the role in May and initially got off to a good start in his new surroundings, winning three and drawing two of their first five league games. However, since then they’ve lost their last four in the division and have slumped down to 11th in the standings.

Their latest defeat came against fellow strugglers Raal La Louviere away from home. On a blustery night at the Stade Communal du Tivoli, a lacklustre display from Beale’s side saw the hosts put three past them without reply. After the match, the manager vowed to personally refund those who made the journey.

Former Rangers gaffer refunds own fans

Beale said: "I feel sorry for the fans who came here on a horrible evening. This is not an accurate reflection of the club and the players. We were not good enough. So I will personally refund our fans their ticket price. I have already let them know this after the game when I spoke to them, because I don't want them to have to pay for a team that puts on such a performance.

"There were so many things that made me unhappy during the match. We have to realise that we have a long and difficult season ahead of us. We need to do much better than we showed It has to improve, because this isn't the image we want to project. It's a humbling performance. Many players need to raise their game."

How has Beale fared since his Rangers dismissal?

The 46-year old boasts the best win percentage rate for a Rangers manager in the top flight, however a run of three defeats in seven games in October 2023 saw his 11-month spell at the club reach its conclusion. Before that, he played a vital coaching role in Steven Gerrard’s side that won the League to stop Celtic winning ten-in-a-row.

Following his dismissal, Beale moved onto Sunderland while they were in the EFL Championship, however he only lasted two months. He then moved back into an assistant coaching role under Gerrard at Al- Ettifaq - but the Saudi Pro League side parted company with the Liverpool legend nine games later. The Zulte-Waregem appointment marked his first job back in the managerial hot-seat for over two years.

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