February 24, (THEWILL) – Rangers Football Club have announced the departure of manager Philippe Clement following a 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren on Saturday. The loss leaves Rangers 13 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic, intensifying pressure on the Belgian, who had been in charge since October 2023. The club released a statement thanking Clement for his “hard work and dedication” during his tenure and confirmed that further updates regarding his successor would follow.
Clement’s tenure began promisingly, with a League Cup victory and a strong start in the Premiership. However, a series of disappointing results, including defeats to Celtic, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, and St Mirren, undermined his position. The recent Scottish Cup exit to Championship side Queen’s Park further heightened dissatisfaction among supporters. Despite a league victory over Celtic in January, inconsistent performances and dropped points against Hibernian and Dundee ultimately led to his dismissal.
Off the pitch, Rangers are navigating a period of financial uncertainty. The club reported a £17.2 million loss for the year ending June 2024, a significant increase from the previous year. This financial strain has limited transfer budgets and reduced the first-team wage bill. Meanwhile, 49ers Enterprises are in advanced talks to complete a takeover of the club, with a potential agreement expected between April and June.
In Europe, Clement achieved moderate success, guiding Rangers to the last 16 of the Europa League for the second consecutive season. The team is set to face Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in March for a place in the quarter-finals. However, domestic struggles overshadowed these achievements, with Rangers failing to mount a credible title challenge since Steven Gerrard’s departure in 2021. Clement leaves with a record of 55 wins, 16 draws, and 15 losses from 86 matches.
The search for a new manager marks the fifth permanent appointment in four years for Rangers. Chief executive Patrick Stewart recently emphasised the need to address “root causes” of underperformance, suggesting that managerial changes alone have not resolved the club’s issues. With Kilmarnock and Motherwell next on the fixture list, Rangers face a critical period as they aim to stabilise their season and prepare for a potential new era under fresh leadership.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
