Rangers has fired manager Philippe Clement after 16 months of responsibility.
It follows a home loss To St Mirren in the Scottish premiere, leaving the club 13 points behind leaders Celtic with 11 games to go.
This result came only a few weeks after Rangers’ hope of winning domestic silverware this season all ended after a shock 1-0 Scottish Cup defeat at home to Championship Side Queen’s Park, where Gers had already lost the League Cup final to their old company Rivals.
However, Clement leaves with rangers to the last 16 of the Europa League.
“Rangers Football Club can confirm that tonight it has shared a company of men’s first -team manager, Philippe Clement,” the club said in a statement on Sunday night.
“The club would like to have their sincere thanks to Philippe for his hard work and dedication during his responsible magic form. A further update from the club will follow with time.”
The decision to sack the Belgian will come about seven months after handing over the 50-year-old a new one year of contract extension and only weeks after the club appointed Clement’s new assistant Issame Charai.
Talking earlier on Sunday before Rangers made the decision to sack Clement, Sky Sports Pundit Kris Boyd said, “Find a tentative, put him in charge between now and the end of the season. He has to go right now.
“We are used to him coming out with excuses he just saw defeated on Saturday, you just feel like it’s time up. It has to be done now – I’ve said this for months. This has been on a decline in several months.
“You only have to look at the players who need to carry some of the responsibility, but there is no style of play.
“There is no structure for something they do and it is from above and down.”
Supported in January, fired in February
Rangers CEO PARTRICK STEWART (L) HAVE FEED CLLET (R)
First month, Rangers -Manager Patrick Stewart Clement supported despite growing pressure from supporters.
The former Manchester United chief – who took his role in the IBROX boarding room in December – admitted that it would have been “the easy decision” to sack the Belgian after the frustration of fans.
He insisted that his own time at Old Trafford turned out that constant leadership change is not effective, but warned the clement results must be improved without “cast iron guarantees” offered.
Stewart supported Clement again a week after the Queen’s Park defeat, but with results that are not improved enough, Clement has been rejected.
Rangers are seven weeks into a “root and grenga review of the entire football department”, led by external experts. Meanwhile, the board is also in conversations with San Francisco 49ers about a takeover of the club of several million pounds.
In addition to handling cases from the field, Stewart must now lead Rangers’ search for their fifth permanent boss since November 2021.
What went wrong for Clement?
Clement led rangers to only five out wins in 13 Scottish premiere matches this season
When the former Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco chief took over at Ibrox in October 2023, Rangers found seven points at Celtic after a bad start to the season under Michael Beale.
However, his influence was immediate. Undefeated races that last 16 games, then 14 games – separated only by a defeat against Celtic – so Rangers draw level at the top of the table, after playing a game fewer.
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Rangers’ undefeated races under Clement ended when Celtic beat them last season
Clement had also secured the League Cup Trophy for the first time since 2011, joined the Scottish Cup Semis and the Europa League last 16.
However, things then took a turn, and in fact, Rangers never really came back.
A 3-2 defeat in Ross County followed by a draw on Dundee Days later so momentum swing to Celtic’s advantage. Rangers lost only two games last season, but they were both against Brendan Rodgers’ side that sealed the league title and the Scottish Cup.
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Rangers’ title bid is revealed when they lost in Ross County before drawing with Dundee
Summer was about Rangers’ “Big Rebuild” as the club seemed to reduce wages, reduce the average age of the troop and add key players to help challenge Celtic this season.
Works with the now-technical director Nils Koppen, 11 players were signed and 16 departed-inclusive high-profile stars such as Connor Goldson, Ryan Jack, Borne Barisic and John Lundstram.
Borna Barisic (left) and John Lundstram (right) were among several players to leave rangers in the summer
Clement said his task was much larger than the “little renovation” that Celtic – but he knew fans still expected results. However, unlike his first few months in the job, Rangers did not produce these results consistently enough.
A goalless draw in their Scottish premiere opening away to hearts was a sign of the coming things, while defeat against Dynamo Kyiv ended their Champions League hope.
Rangers fell down the Europa League after defeat against Dynamo Kyiv
Clement’s side would continue to drop 32 premier points from 48 on the road as they lost in Celtic Park, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.
Another defeat to the Celtic in the League Cup final plus more dropped points away to St Mirren, Motherwell, Hibernian and Dundee then 2024 end at a low.
There were some signs of promise along the way, including a first old company victory for Clement, a draw against Spurs and progress to the Europa League last 16.
Clement said he wouldn’t stop after the shock 1-0 defeat against the Championship Club Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup. After months of pressure, however, the decision was made by his hands as Rangers signed company with another manager.
Who could replace Clement?
Former boss Steven Gerrard is available after his exit from Saudi Club Al Ettifaq
It’s a movie Rangers fans have seen all too often in recent years as the search for a new manager begins.
If the previous four times are something to pass by, there will be many names attached. The truth must be said that speculation started months ago.
Steven Gerrard – Rangers led to their last Scottish premiere title in 2021 – is now a free agent after leaving his job at AL ETIFAQ in Saudi Arabia. The former Liverpool captain was the last manager to won the Scottish premiere title in 2021 and will be someone fans will look back at iBrox, as ex-Midtfielder Gennaro Gattusothat has impressed with Hajduk Split.
Formerly treble-winning Gers defender Kevin Muscat Was interviewed for the job last time and will undoubtedly be in the frame again. Since 2023 he has added to his league title winner in Australia and Japan with a top-flight crown in China in Shanghai Port.
Former Rangers Defense Kevin Muscat was previously interviewed for the manager’s job
Closer to home, Kilmarnock chef Derek McInnes‘Name is always on supporters of the lips. The former iBrox player once turned the job down in 2017, but continues to attract admirers.
After their promotion from the championship, he led Killie to the fourth last season and European football, with a top-six finish still on the cards in this campaign despite a difficult start.
Derek McInnes’ Kilmarnock beat Rangers earlier this season
Former Gers defender Russell Martin Could also be in the frame and is out of work after his firing of Southampton last year.
When he appointed Clement, former chairman John Bennett and Ex-Ceo James Bisgrove led the search. They described it as a “carefully planned and comprehensive recruitment process”.
This time, Stewart, Thornton and Co know that they can’t afford to get it wrong and help the club break this cycle of continuous managerial upheaval.
Rangers’ upcoming fixtures:
- February 26: Kilmarnock (A) – Scottish Premier cabinet, Live on Sky Sports
- 1. March: Motherwell (H) – Scottish Premier
- 6. March: Fenerbahce (A) – Europa League Last -16
- 13 March: Fenerbahce (H) – Europa League Last -16
- 16 March: Celtic (A) – Scottish Premi- Live on Sky Sports