The Belgian’s time as Rangers manager is up following one defeat too many.
Philippe Clement’s 16-month reign as Rangers manager came to an end on Sunday evening, with the Ibrox club formally ending it.
Clement’s position at Rangers was already in jeopardy following an embarrassing Scottish Cup defeat to second-tier Queen’s Park earlier this month, and despite a public show of support from chief executive Patrick Stewart earlier in the week, Saturday’s 2-0 loss at home to St Mirren was the final straw for many in the Ibrox hierarchy.
After losing to the Buddies for the first time at home since 1991, the board had discussions on Saturday evening and Sunday, and the decision was made to dismiss Clement. Rangers will have to pay a significant compensation package for the Belgian, who signed a contract extension until the summer of 2028 only last August.
Rangers had hoped to give the 50-year-old, who took over from Michael Beale in October 2023, more time to turn his team’s fortunes around as they sought to address deeper issues within the Ibrox framework, but with nearly the entire fanbase turning against Clement, there was no turning back for the former Monaco and Club Brugge manager.
Rangers are now 13 points behind Premiership leaders Celtic, and after losing the Premier Sports Cup final to their Old Firm rivals in December, as well as their early departure from the Scottish Cup, they will finish the current season trophyless on the domestic front.
Clement’s finest work this season has come in Europe, as he led them to a top-eight finish in the Europa League. Rangers had anticipated the Belgian presiding over the last-16 tie against Fenerbahce, but the recent setback depleted whatever remaining credit he had in the bank.
Rangers’ next Premiership game is on Wednesday night at Kilmarnock. The club is yet to pick who will captain the team at Rugby Park.
Rangers’ statement confirming Clement’s dismissal read: “Rangers Football Club can confirm it has tonight parted company with men’s first-team manager, Philippe Clement.”
“The club would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Philippe for his hard work and devotion throughout his time in charge.
“A further update from the club will follow in due course.”
The Rangers will now consider who they will appoint as Clement’s replacement. The Ibrox club is looking for its fourth permanent manager in as many years, eager for stability after paying out large compensation amounts to Beale and Giovanni van Bronckhorst before him.
A projected purchase of the Rangers by a team owned by the San Francisco 49ers complicates matters even further. It was reported earlier this week that a group led by Leeds United’s Paraag Marathe and Andrew Cavenagh is already in talks with shareholders to acquire a majority position in the club.
While no date has been established for the transaction, any possible investors are anticipated to have a say in who enters the Ibrox dugout.
Former manager Steven Gerrard, who just left Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, is the early favourite to follow Clement, with Russell Martin, Sean Dyche, Gary O’Neil, and Kevin Muscat also featuring strongly on bookmakers’ lists.
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