This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

QPR are close to appointing their next manager, according to John Percy of the Telegraph.

Aston Villa coach Michael Beale is set to replace Mark Warburton, who departed at the end of the season.

Beale is the current assistant manager to Steven Gerrard at the Premier League outfit, but is keen to become the main man himself at this level.

Here, we ask our FLW writers their verdict on this potential appointment for the London club… 

Billy Mulley

I think it has the potential of being a good appointment, with QPR possessing a strong enough squad to make the role a fairly favourable one for candidates in the running.

Flipping things around, I also think Michael Beale is the kind of manager that the R's need to guide themselves out of this temporary wobble that saw them struggle during the latter stages of last season.

Possessing a squad full of talent, and a fair amount of youthful talent, a younger head coach who has received an excellent education at Villa could be what the London club need. 

It is of course unknown how he would fare up as being the main man of a club with high expectations, but on paper, this has all the makings of being a positive step in the right direction. 

Carla Devine

I’m still somewhat unsure on this one and do feel it’s a bit of a risky appointment that could go either way.

The main concern is his lack of first team experience and that could be a worry for a team that is aiming to make the play-offs in the Championship.

 

 

However, it can’t be doubted that the work he’s done at both youth level with Liverpool teams and as an assistant coach has been successful and therefore suggest he deserves the chance to make the step up to first team management.

Furthermore, he has had plenty of experience at the top level even if not as first team coach but being around that environment and the people at that level who he could’ve learnt a lot from.

Therefore, I do think it’s worth the risk and if if it pays off it could be a brilliant decision from the club.

Adam Jones

Considering some of the other reported candidates in the race, this is probably one of the better names so QPR supporters can be satisfied with this appointment.

Many would say this move is a risk and they would be right to say that considering his lack of experience as a head coach - but he already has a decent amount of experience under his belt working alongside Steven Gerrard with some top-quality players.

Not only will he have plenty of connections he can call on to provide him with potential loan additions - but he is likely to implement an attractive style of play too and that's promising for the R's.

So whilst it may have been an unnecessary risk to replace Mark Warburton, Beale could lead the west London outfit to greater things if he lives up to his potential.