Rangers are closing in on appointing Philippe Clement – a manager once hailed by Arsenal star Leandro Trossard.
Rangers chose to sack Michael Beale earlier this month after a pretty dismal start to the season.
Two weeks on, Rangers haven’t yet found a replacement and a host of rumoured targets have fallen by the wayside.
The decision now appears to be down to just two candidates; former Rangers defender Kevin Muscat and the ex-Monaco boss Philippe Clement.
Sky Sports report that Muscat and Clement have been in ‘final talks’ with Rangers this weekend, presenting a straight fight for the job.
Clement looks to be the favourite though; 90Min reporter Graeme Bailey claims that the Belgian is set to be named Rangers boss very soon whilst talkSPORT suggest that Muscat has been told that the job will now go to Clement.
Leandro Trossard a big fan of Rangers target Philippe Clement
Clement’s CV looks pretty impressive; he won three league titles in a row between 2019 and 2021, across spells with Genk and Club Brugge.
The 49-year-old carved out a fine reputation in Belgium and started well at Monaco before losing his job at the end of last season.
Clement has certainly helped develop a number of players, including £27million Arsenal star Leandro Trossard.
The Belgium international played under Clement at Genk, smashing 28 goals and 13 assists in 60 games to earn his move to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Trossard moved to praise Clement in 2019, telling The Argus that the potential Rangers boss is ideal for coaching technical players.
Trossard also highlighted ‘a lot of high pressing’ in Clement’s approach, praising his ability as a coach whilst discussing Percy Tau’s loan move to Belgium.
“He is a coach who likes to play football and who uses a lot of high pressing,” said Trossard. “I saw him playing last season and this coach is good for players who are technical,” he added.
Who else has Clement developed?
Trossard is just one of the names to thrive under Clement, with Rangers fans no doubt keen to see who else he has improved over the years.
Charles De Ketelaere excelled at Club Brugge before making a huge move to AC Milan last summer, which didn’t quite work out as hoped.
Axel Disasi flourished under Clement at Monaco, tempting Chelsea into an expensive summer deal for the French defender.
The same goes for Benoit Badiashile, who quit Monaco for Chelsea earlier this year.
Joakim Maehle, Clinton Mata, Joseph Aidoo, Vanderson, Odilon Kossounou and Sander Berge have really kicked on under Clement too, earning moves around Europe.
Rangers fans hoping that he can work similar magic on the squad at Ibrox – if he lands the job.
