Rangers Part Ways with Philippe Clement After Loss

Rangers Sack Philippe Clement After Shock Defeat to St Mirren

Rangers Football Club has officially parted ways with manager Philippe Clement following a shocking 2-0 home defeat to St Mirren on Saturday. The loss leaves Rangers 13 points adrift of their arch-rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, intensifying frustration among fans and club executives alike.

A Season of Struggles & Growing Pressure ⚠️

Clement, 50, took charge of Rangers in October 2023, following the dismissal of Michael Beale after a turbulent 10-month tenure. Despite an initial resurgence under Clement, Rangers have struggled to keep pace with Celtic, suffering crucial defeats against Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, and St Mirren.

Adding to the woes, Rangers were eliminated from the Scottish Cup earlier this month by Championship side Queen’s Park, a loss that heightened fan unrest. Though the club secured a memorable Ibrox victory over Celtic in January, inconsistent performances, including dropped points against Hibernian and Dundee, sealed Clement’s fate.

Club’s Official Statement 📝

In an official statement, Rangers expressed gratitude to Clement for his dedication and efforts but confirmed his departure with immediate effect:

> “The club would like to put on record their sincere thanks to Philippe for his hard work and dedication during his spell in charge. A further update from the club will follow in due course.”

Financial & Boardroom Turmoil 💰⚖️

Rangers' on-field struggles mirror issues off the pitch. The club reported a £17.2 million loss for the financial year ending June 2024—a £4.1 million increase from the previous period. Meanwhile, Celtic recorded a £13.4 million profit, highlighting the financial gap between the two clubs. Rangers’ failure to qualify for the Champions League last season significantly impacted their revenue, forcing the club to reduce its first-team wage bill.

Moreover, 49ers Enterprises are currently negotiating a potential takeover of Rangers, which is expected to be finalized between April and June 2025. Internal boardroom changes have also added uncertainty, with CEO Patrick Stewart and Chairman Fraser Thornton recently joining the club’s leadership structure.

Clement’s European Record 🌍⚽

Despite domestic struggles, Clement guided Rangers to the Europa League last 16, mirroring their success from the previous season. Next month, they face Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce over two legs in a crucial tie for European progression.

Chief Executive Patrick Stewart had recently stated:

> “We have been underperforming for several seasons now and that's not down to a manager alone. Until we fix the root causes, changing managers will not bring sustainable success.”

Clement’s Record at Rangers 📊

During his tenure, Clement managed:

86 games ✅

55 wins 🏆

16 draws 🤝

15 losses ❌

Although he secured a League Cup victory, his inability to challenge Celtic for the league title ultimately led to his dismissal.

Who’s Next for Rangers? 🤔

With Clement’s departure, Rangers are now searching for their fifth permanent manager in four years—a period that has seen Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, and now Clement all fail to match Celtic’s dominance.

Upcoming fixtures will be critical for the club, with Rangers set to face Kilmarnock on Wednesday (20:00 GMT) and Motherwell on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

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