15 October 2023 , 09:38
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Rangers have announced Philippe Clement as their new manager.
The Ibrox side confirmed the news on Sunday morning. They were after a new boss after parting company with Michael Beale at the beginning of October. Rangers are second in the Scottish Premiership table, already seven points behind Celtic in the title race.
It's believed Rangers were interested in appointing former Chelsea and Everton manager Frank Lampard. They were also talks with former Wolves and Crystal Palace defender Kevin Muscat, who is currently in charge of Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos.
Yet Clement has got the job. The Belgian arrives in Glasgow with a plenty of experience, having previously managed Beveren, Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco. He has won three Belgian Pro League titles as a manager but was sacked by Monaco in June.
Rangers have given Clement a three-and-a-half-year contract, subject to receipt of a work permit. "I am honoured to have been appointed as the new manager of Rangers Football Club and I’d like to thank the board for giving me this opportunity," said Clement.
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"I am hugely excited by this chance to achieve success at one of Europe’s most iconic clubs across four competitions in what remains of this season and beyond. I am looking forward to meeting with the players in the coming days and to meeting our supporters at next Saturday’s home match with Hibernian, as we set out together to create a successful, winning Rangers."
Clement won his first Belgian Pro League title as a manager with Genk in 2019 before joining rivals Club Brugge that summer. He then won back-to-back Belgian Pro League titles with Club Brugge, as well as the Belgian Super Cup in 2021.
Clement has previously managed the likes of Monaco and Club Brugge (Getty Images)Do you think Philippe Clement is a good appointment by Rangers? Let us know in the comments below!
Clement joined Monaco in January 2022, with the team languishing ninth in Ligue 1. They went on to finish third that season but struggled the next, with Monaco ending up in sixth. They also lost to PSV in the third Champions League qualifying round.
As a player, Clement spent most of his career in Belgium. He also won 38 caps for his country and represented them at the 1998 World Cup in France and Euro 2000 in Belgium and the Netherlands. Yet he did have a brief stint in the Premier League with Coventry.
Rangers chairman John Bennett added: "I would like to offer my warm congratulations to Philippe as he becomes our 19th manager. His appointment comes at the end of a carefully planned and comprehensive recruitment process.
"A team led by our CEO James Bisgrove, members of the board, and former Rangers player and manager Graeme Souness, has spent the last 10 days interviewing several high calibre candidates, with those individuals undergoing a rigorous interview and vetting process. We thank all candidates for their interest in the position.
"Philippe proved to be the outstanding candidate across all the key criteria, reinforced by his track record of winning titles and I wish him every success as he leads us forward."