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Rangers have parted ways with manager Philippe Clement after a disappointing run of form culminated in a 2-0 home loss to St Mirren, leaving the team 13 points adrift of Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.
Clement, who took charge in October 2023, had initially guided the club to a League Cup victory and reignited their title hopes. However, a series of underwhelming performances, including a shocking Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Queen’s Park, increased pressure on the Belgian coach.
Off the pitch, Rangers are engaged in takeover talks with 49ers Enterprises, a potential deal expected to materialize between April and June. The club issued a statement on Sunday confirming Clement’s departure, expressing gratitude for his contributions while promising further updates on the managerial situation.
Despite enjoying a strong start to his tenure, Clement struggled to maintain momentum, particularly in crucial fixtures against Celtic. League defeats to Aberdeen, Kilmarnock, and Hibernian further dented Rangers’ title ambitions, while their loss in the League Cup final to their Old Firm rivals only intensified scrutiny.
Rangers’ latest defeat to St Mirren— their first home loss to the Paisley club since 1991—proved to be the breaking point. With 11 league games remaining, attention now turns to securing a replacement, with the club also conducting an internal review of its football operations.
The search for a new manager comes amid broader structural changes at Ibrox, with chief executive Patrick Stewart recently acknowledging the need for stability but also stressing the importance of improved results. As Rangers prepare to face Kilmarnock on Wednesday, an interim coach is expected to step in while the board considers its long-term options.
Despite the managerial turmoil, Rangers remain in contention in Europe, having reached the last 16 of the Europa League, where they are set to face Fenerbahce. However, domestically, their hopes of silverware have faded, leaving the club at a crossroads as they look ahead to the future.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Winston Tjia
