The Rangers supporters will fall in love with Philippe Clement’s ‘fluid’, free-flowing approach as the former Monaco and Club Brugge manager takes over from Mick Beale at Ibrox.
At least, that is the view of Jelle van Damme. Philippe Clement’s former Belgium team-mate speaking to the Daily Record as the 49-year-old arranges the furniture and gets himself comfortable behind a desk at Ibrox.
Clement was appointed over the weekend, turning down far more financially-rewarding offers in the Middle East in an attempt to close the gap between Rangers and Old Firm rivals Celtic at the top of the domestic tree.
Philippe Clement is Rangers’ new manager
“It’s a good move for both parties. Rangers is a big club and Philippe Clement is a top coach. I hope it works out well,” Van Damme says, his compatriot a three-time Jupiler League champion at Genk and Club Brugge.
“He has had success everywhere he’s gone. Whether it be at Waasland Beveren, Genk or Brugge. He did well at Monaco as well, and now this is another big challenge.
“Philippe is a great guy. I know he could have gone to other countries, especially for the money, but he refused. He’s gone to Rangers because he wanted to take on a big European club.”
It is not just Clement’s track record and impressive collection of silverware which catches the eye. The new Rangers boss prides himself upon a ‘dominant’ style of football, brimming with intensity on and off the ball.
Beale’s Gers side could have been used as a cure for insomnia at times, but Clement’s version should light a fire under the Ibrox terraces – not to mention an underperforming squad – once again.
‘The fans will love it’
“For me, the most important quality a coach has to have is their man-management skills,” Van Damme argues. “And that is Phil’s strength. I played with Philippe for the national team and back then he was a quiet, introverted guy in the changing room. But on the field, it was different. The more aggressive side came out because he was desperate to win.
“And I hear it’s the same now he’s a coach. He flicks a switch and that winner’s mentality comes out.
“As I said, how you deal with players is so important. If you can connect with them in the right way, they will walk through fire for you and the club and I think he has that quality. When he speaks, everybody listens.
“Tactically, he is a coach who likes to play fluent football. He wants nice, clean build up from behind. I think the fans will love it because he will make sure there is a physicality about his team too. It’s a nice mixture.”
