The Glasgow Rangers suffered a defeat in the League Cup final against Celtic Glasgow. This latest setback puts Philippe Clément under increasing pressure, as he now has little room for error.
Could Philippe Clément afford this? The Rangers’ season has been far from what was anticipated in the league, currently sitting in third place, which is significantly below expectations. They find themselves 11 points behind their fierce rivals, Celtic, who lead the table, and are even two points adrift of Aberdeen in a league traditionally viewed as a two-horse race.
The loss on Sunday in the League Cup final, even if it came down to penalties, was a bitter blow. It stripped the Rangers of yet another chance to lift silverware this season, while the national title feels a distant dream and aspirations of winning the Europa League seem increasingly unrealistic.
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Clément has been at the helm of the Scottish giant for over a year now and failed to win any trophies last season, putting him on thin ice for a second consecutive trophyless campaign. In fact, his chances of finishing the season with a job depend on whether he can quickly turn things around… if it’s not already too late.
“Football can be cruel, and it was tonight,” Clément lamented in front of the Scottish media following the final defeat. Such is the reality of the sport: the former Club Brugge coach has been under scrutiny for several months. Winning the League Cup would have offered him a reprieve, but now? With the transfer window and the brief winter break approaching, now would be the perfect time to make a change.
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Last August, Clément extended his contract until 2028. This likely saves him for now: his dismissal would involve a significant golden parachute, and the Rangers do not have vast financial resources. Another reason is the lack of a sporting director, and therefore a true decision-maker, as recently highlighted by Scottish journalist Bill Leckie. “That’s the only reason he’s still in charge,” he claimed.
If Clément does leave, one thing is certain: he can expect to see Vincent Mannaert’s name among the first to check in on him. Out of friendship, of course, as the two men worked closely together in Brugge for many years. But also because the new CEO of the Belgian Union will see this as too great an opportunity to pass up. The days of Tedesco at the helm of the Red Devils are likely numbered, and Philippe Clément would stand to gain a substantial payoff following his dismissal: the stars may be aligning for him to accept a lower salary in a new role as national team coach…
