Rangers' manager Philippe Clement looks back on his tumultuous stint at the club
Philippe Clement's 16-month stint as Rangers manager, from October 2023 to his dismissal in February 2025, was marked by key challenges and chaotic incidents.
Upon taking over, Clement faced an unsettled dressing room due to the summer 2023 signings, with senior players expressing dissatisfaction over the new recruits not meeting Rangers’ historic standards. This unrest created a difficult atmosphere in the dressing room.
Clement's task was not just to manage the team on the field, but also to unite and motivate the senior players to support the new signings who were still adapting. This was crucial for team unity and subsequent victories.
Despite some triumphs, such as leading Rangers to a League Cup victory in his first season, Clement's tenure saw disappointing results in the Scottish Premiership. The team lost crucial matches to Motherwell, Ross County, and Celtic, finishing the season eight points behind their rivals.
The off-field turmoil was equally significant. Clement criticized the lack of communication from senior management, stating that he was the only one speaking in the club. Key figures such as James Bisgrove and John Bennett departed during his tenure.
Clement's reflections highlighted a "big difference" between the two clubs, particularly off the field. He remarked that Celtic was more organized than Rangers, particularly in terms of club dynamics and preparation. The lack of official communication was "totally disrespectful," according to Clement.
Clement's tenure ended abruptly in February 2025 after a poor league showing against St Mirren. The team's performance faltered late in the season under his management, culminating in a Scottish Cup defeat to Celtic, with a last-minute goal from Adam Idah.
Looking back, Clement described his time at Rangers as "total chaos" and frustrating, reflecting the difficult environment and challenges he faced during this period. Despite the challenges, Clement suggested that the plan should include nurturing young talent and selling them to build the club.
In summary, Clement struggled with a troubled squad atmosphere, the challenge of rallying senior players around the new signings and his methods, and underwhelming competitive results, which led to a chaotic and ultimately unsuccessful spell managing Rangers.
[1] Rangers Chronicle [2] The Scotsman [3] The Daily Record [4] BBC Sport
In the midst of his management at Rangers, Clement aimed to bring unity to both the senior players and the new signings, as he realized the importance of team harmony in European leagues, such as the Premier League. However, the unsettled dressing room due to the summer 2023 signings caused continuous unrest, creating a challenging atmosphere that potentially hindered the team's performance in European-leagues competitions.
