Michael Beale explains decision to leave Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard for QPR

Michael Beale admits he had been waiting on the right opportunity to make the leap into management after working with Steven Gerrard for four years at Rangers and Aston Villa.

The 41-year-old was announced as the new Queens Park Rangers manager on Wednesday afternoon, which leaves Gerrard without the former Chelsea and Liverpool youth coach for the first time in his managerial career. Alongside Gary McAllister, Gerrard and Beale managed to delver Rangers their first SPL title in a decade last season, before all three left the Scottish giants for Villa in November.

It remains unclear whether of not Gerrard will be out to replace Beale or start the club's pre-season preparations without recruiting a replacement. New QPR boss Beale has explained that the Championship job was one he couldn't turn down.

“It’s fantastic to be here,” Beale told www.qpr.co.uk. “I’ve been looking for the right opportunity and I think I have that now – the right club, the right people, the right ambition and the right support. I’m a London boy and know everything this club stands for. This is a wonderful opportunity for me and a really good time for the club as well.

“I’ve been left a solid platform by Mark Warburton, which I’m obviously pleased about, and that enables me to kick on from hereon in. I want us to be a front foot and high-intensity team, in and out of possession. I want Loftus Road to be a real cauldron for us – I’ve been to games here and I know just how much the fans can impact the team on the pitch.

“We’ve got a young, hungry team and everyone has their best days in front of them. I’m absolutely excited about working with the players that we already have here. The players played in an attractive style last season and now I’m