Former Rangers head coach Michael Beale has quit as manager of Belgian Pro League side Zulte Waregem just weeks after offering fans a refund following a heavy away defeat.

According to reports, Beale has resigned after just 177 days at the Elindus Arena, after the 4-1 defeat to Sint-Truidense saw them fall to their sixth consecutive defeat, matching their worst run of results since October 7, 2018. The ex-Rangers man leaves them just four points clear of the relegation zone.

His first managerial role since being sacked by Sunderland almost three years ago, Beale is understood to have fallen on his sword due to a breakdown in his relationship with senior figures over the club’s direction and strategy. The 46-year-old’s time started brightly as they went unbeaten in their opening five games. However, their form quickly unravelled, and they have been without a win since September 6.

"I will sit down with the board during the international break and we will put our heads together,” said Beale at the weekend. "Will I still be here when we return for our next match? A lot depends on how the discussions go. Last summer, we made a decision to concentrate on young players, but we have to accept that this group now needs help. We can't deny we are in trouble."

While the club are yet to officially confirm Beale’s departure, numerous reports say he has informed the club of his decision to depart. Bizarrely, his poor run of results means that he leaves his role with an identical record to his ill-fated spell at the Stadium of Light, where he also recorded four wins, two draws, and six losses, resulting in a 33.3% win rate after 12 games at both clubs.

Appointed by Zulte Waregem on May 19, he offered to refund fans’ ticket and travel costs following a heavy 3-0 defeat to La Louviere last month, approaching supporters at the final whistle to inform them of the reimbursement in person.

The ex-Ibrox boss first linked up with Rangers as part of the coaching staff during Steven Gerrard’s three-and-a-half-year reign in charge of the club, working as Rangers’ first-team coach as they went unbeaten to win the Scottish Premiership title in the 2020/21 season. He joined the former Liverpool icon in departing the club shortly afterwards, with the pair moving to Aston Villa in November 2021.

After leaving the Midlands upon Gerrard’s sacking shortly afterwards, Beale moved into his first managerial role with EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers the following summer, but was poached by Rangers as a replacement for Giovanni van Bronckhorst just five months into his spell at Loftus Road, and was named the Ibrox club’s 18th permanent manager in their history in November 2022.

He was unable to replicate his previous success at Rangers though, and struggled in the main role at Ibrox. A mixed start to his tenure, saw him win record eight wins, two draws and four defeats. A 3-1 home defeat to Aberdeen sealed his fate though, with the club opting to bring an end to his time in the dugout after a third defeat in seven games. Appointed as manager of Sunderland 15 months later, his time on Wearside was a disaster, and the club parted ways with him after just nine weeks in the role, where he was succeeded by Regis Le Bris.