Philippe Clement's tumultuous tenure as Rangers manager has come to an abrupt end after only 16 months, following severe criticism from fans and dismal performances on the pitch. The Belgian’s resignation follows consecutive home defeats, including the club's shocking Scottish Cup exit to second-tier side Queen's Park and a significant loss to St Mirren, marking the first time Rangers have lost at Ibrox to St Mirren since 1991.
Reports indicate Clement’s sacking follows his candid admission after the 2-0 defeat to St Mirren where he noted it was “by far the worst performance” he had seen during his time at Rangers. The situation has become untenable, with the club currently trailing 13 points behind city rivals Celtic at the top of the league.
Clement, who took over in October 2023, initially enjoyed success, winning the League Cup shortly after his appointment. He managed to propel the team briefly back to title contention last season; nonetheless, their form has suffered dramatically since then. The team's failure to win either of the final Old Firm derbies and their recent exit from the Scottish Cup placed Clement under considerable pressure. Despite starting strongly, with only one loss across his first 28 games as manager, the latter half of the season has been marked by disappointing results.
Before the St Mirren defeat, his position seemed precarious, but his comments reflected the growing disappointment within the squad and among the club’s supporters. Sources suggest discussions at the club on Clement's future intensified after the loss, signaling the dire need for change. Within hours of the match, it became apparent the board was prepared to act on player sentiments, which indicated they had reached their limit with Clement.
Anticipation has now turned toward who will be next to lead Rangers as they seek to regain their previous stature. Former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has emerged as the bookmakers' favorite for the role, with odds favoring his return at 3/1, alongside Derek McInnnes at 4/1.
On the flip side, the Rangers fan community has expressed vehement dissatisfaction with Clement’s management style. With chants urging for his dismissal growing louder, many supporters feel the club has lost its competitive edge under his leadership. “It surely cannot go on,” argued one fan, highlighting the discontent within the stands following yet another missed opportunity to claim important points against their rivals.
Calls for managerial stability echo throughout the club, yet questions arise about what direction the management will choose. Reports have indicated assistant manager Barry Ferguson and others like Neil McCann and Kevin Thomson are among candidates considered to steer the team for the immediate future. Yet, all eyes remain on whether history will repeat itself with the rumored return of Gerrard, who previously led Rangers to their first league title win over Celtic since 2011.
Football pundits are split on the changes at Ibrox, with many believing Clement's dismissal is justified due to the regression seen on the pitch. Patrick Stewart, Rangers' chief executive, has indicated dissatisfaction with recent performances and called for evaluations of the team's dynamics. Reflecting on Clement’s record, Stewart noted, “Why is he still the manager? There’s no free passes here. We are judged on results.”
Meanwhile, any future manager faces challenges with upcoming fixtures. With Europa League knockout matches against Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce on the horizon, the next appointment will need to galvanize the team if they are to have any hope of salvaging the season. Current squads will also have to navigate continued pressure to regain the lost ground against Celtic.
Rangers' next match against Kilmarnock will serve as both the first challenge for the new manager and the latest test for the players' resolve. Without immediate improvement, fans fear this could prolong their wait for success.
Philip Clement's departure signifies not just a managerial shakeup but the wider uncertainties facing the club. The potential for investment and changes at the administrative level alongside this new managerial search symbolizes another turning point for Rangers as they aim to return to their historical competitiveness.
Under the uncertain climate, Rangers must now regroup and forge advancements if they wish to not only climb the league standings but also reestablish their dominance forgotten by many loyal fans.