Rangers Sack Manager Philippe Clement Amid Poor Run of Form
Rangers Football Club has parted ways with manager Philippe Clement after a disappointing run of results that has left the club struggling in the Scottish Premiership and on the brink of a trophy-less season. The decision came just hours after Rangers suffered a 1-0 home defeat to St Mirren, a loss that left the club 13 points behind league leaders Celtic with only 11 games remaining. This result further compounded the misery for Clement, whose tenure had been under intense scrutiny after a series of underwhelming performances.
The Belgian manager, who took charge in October 2023, had initially shown promise with Rangers. Clement led the team to a League Cup victory, their first since 2011, and secured a place in the Scottish Cup semifinals and the Europa League last 16. However, the club’s form has been inconsistent, and recent results have led to growing pressure from fans and the board. The final nail in the coffin was the shock 1-0 Scottish Cup defeat to Championship side Queen’s Park, which all but ended Rangers’ hopes of domestic silverware this season.
Key Factors Behind Clement’s Dismissal
Clement’s sacking comes just seven months after Rangers handed him a one-year contract extension, a decision that now seems premature given the club’s subsequent struggles. The turning point in his tenure came during the summer, when Rangers underwent a major squad overhaul. Clement was tasked with rebuilding the team after a mass exodus of key players, including Connor Goldson, Ryan Jack, Borna Barisic, and John Lundstram. Despite signing 11 new players, the team failed to gel, and Clement’s inability to instill a clear style of play or structure became evident.
The club’s away form has been particularly dismal, with Rangers dropping 32 Premiership points from 48 on the road. Defeats to Celtic, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, and St Mirren have been costly, and the team’s inability to consistently perform at a high level has left them trailing behind their Old Firm rivals. Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd was scathing in his assessment of Clement, stating that the manager "looked defeated" and that his exit was overdue. Boyd also criticized the lack of a cohesive playing style and the players’ accountability, though he acknowledged that the ultimate responsibility lies with the manager.
Rangers’ CEO Patrick Stewart had publicly backed Clement as recently as January, even after the Queen’s Park debacle, but the manager’s failure to turn things around left the board with little choice but to act. Stewart had previously emphasized his belief that constant managerial changes are counterproductive, citing his experience at Manchester United, but the pressure to deliver results proved too great. With Rangers now seven weeks into a "root and branch review" of their football department, Stewart faces the challenge of leading the search for a new manager while also navigating takeover talks with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Search for a New Manager Begins
As Rangers embark on their fifth managerial search since November 2021, speculation is already rampant about who could take the reins. Steven Gerrard, who led Rangers to their last Scottish Premiership title in 2021, has emerged as an early contender. The former Liverpool captain is currently a free agent after leaving his role at Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, and his return to Ibrox would likely be met with enthusiasm from the fanbase.
Other potential candidates include Kevin Muscat, a former Rangers defender who has enjoyed success as a manager in Australia, Japan, and China, and Derek McInnes, the Kilmarnock boss who has admirers for his work at Ibrox and beyond. Russell Martin, another former Rangers player, is also in the frame, having been sacked by Southampton last year. The club has pledged to conduct a "carefully planned and comprehensive recruitment process," but with the team mired in poor form, the pressure to make the right appointment is immense.
Clement’s Tenure: What Went Wrong?
Philippe Clement arrived at Rangers in October 2023 with a strong managerial pedigree, having previously coached at Genk, Club Brugge, and Monaco. His initial impact was promising, as Rangers went on a 16-game unbeaten run and briefly drew level with Celtic at the top of the table. However, the cracks began to show during a 3-2 defeat to Ross County and a draw with Dundee, which handed the initiative back to Celtic. Despite Rangers’ eventual second-place finish last season, the momentum had shifted irrevocably in favor of their arch-rivals.
This season has been even more challenging. Rangers’ "big rebuild" failed to yield the desired results, and the team’s inability to compete consistently with Celtic has been a recurring theme. The loss to Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League qualifiers was a major blow, and defeats in the League Cup final and the Scottish Cup have only exacerbated the sense of despair. Clement’s inability to produce a recognizable playing style or to inspire confidence in the squad has been a constant source of frustration for fans and/or the board.
Rangers’ Uphill Battle in the Scottish Premiership
With Clement gone, Rangers face an uphill battle to salvage their season. The club is now 13 points behind Celtic, and with only 11 games left, the title race is all but over. The upcoming fixtures, including a crucial Old Firm derby against Celtic and a Europa League last-16 tie with Fenerbahce, will be a litmus test for the interim manager and the players. While European progress remains a silver lining, the domestic struggles are a cause for concern.
Rangers have endured a turbulent period in recent years, with frequent managerial changes and a failure to consistently challenge Celtic for supremacy. The board’s decision to sack Clement reflects the growing impatience among fans and the demands of modern football, where results are often prioritized over long-term planning. As the club begins its latest search for a manager, the hope is that this time, the appointment will bring stability and success to Ibrox.
Looking Ahead: Can Rangers Break the Cycle?
The sacking of Philippe Clement marks the latest chapter in Rangers’ recent history of managerial upheaval. Since November 2021, the club has had five permanent managers, a statistic that underscores the challenges of finding the right leader to restore Rangers to their former glory. The upcoming weeks will be crucial as Rangers seek to appoint a manager capable of uniting the squad, reconnecting with the fanbase, and ending Celtic’s dominance in Scottish football.
The board must also grapple with the broader issues plaguing the club, including a declining squad, a lack of clear direction, and the financial pressures that come with competing at the top level. With Rangers in the midst of a "root and branch review" of their football operations, the next appointment will be pivotal in determining whether the club can break free from the cycle of underperformance and reclaim its status as a dominant force in Scottish football.
