London:

Rangers sacked manager Michael Beale on Sunday after less than a year in charge of the Glasgow giants.

A 3-1 defeat at home to Aberdeen on Saturday left Rangers seven points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic after just seven games.

Biel also failed to qualify for the Champions League in August, losing the playoff 7–3 to PSV Eindhoven on aggregate.

Experienced midfielder Steven Davis will lead the interim management team.

“This season’s results have fallen short of the expectations of everyone associated with Rangers,” the club said in a statement.

“Therefore, the decision has been taken today to terminate the contracts of the manager, as well as the contracts of coaches Neil Banfield, Damien Matthews, Harry Watling and Jack Eade.”

Beale replaced Giovani Van Bronckhorst in November, but was unable to prevent Celtic from winning domestic trophies last season.

The Englishman was allowed to rebuild his squad this summer but nine new signings have largely been a disappointment and Rangers have lost three of their opening seven league games.

Rangers chairman John Bennett said, “It is clear that the results have fallen well short of the expectations of the board, Michael and our supporters.”

“The search process for a new manager is already underway. I wish Steven Davis and the interim management team every success – they will remain in charge until the right appointment is made.”

Rangers travel to Aris Limassol in the Europa League on Thursday before facing St Mirren on Sunday before the two-week international break.