Philippe Clement might be loving life at Rangers but the Belgian manager admits he doesn’t vibe with the expectation to wear a matchday suit.
The role of Rangers manager comes with several expectations with the necessity to dress up sharp for every match considered a must for anyone who comes into the role.
Philippe Clement has shown that he can fill the famous blue suit so far with the ex-Club Brugge and AS Monaco boss already picking up the League Cup and reaching the Europa League last 16.
But in an interview with Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad, the Rangers boss has admitted that it’s one tradition he’s not quite looking forward to adopting.
Philippe Clement on Ibrox suit
Philippe Clement has been talking up the intense loyalty of the Rangers support in the interview as he gave the Belgian outlet an insight into life in Glasgow.
Explaining that life in the goldfish bowl of Scottish football can be quite intense, the tracksuit manager admits that he will “respect” the requirement to don a suit even if he’s not looking forward to it.
“That history, that tradition, I have never experienced that passion of people for football anywhere,” said Clement.
“The fans are there hours before the match and again hours after the match to collect autographs. In all weather conditions.
“With away games, we get 8,000 supporters who will go on the trip. We regularly play a home match away from home. The atmosphere in our stadium is fantastic.
“Ibrox is a real football stadium.
“It is impressive how the tradition has been preserved. It all still looks brand new, despite being so old.
“The old desk where the manager used to sit is covered with photos of all managers in the club’s history. The club is 151 years old and has only had 19 managers in that entire period.
“The only difference is that the club expects me to coach in a club suit during the match.
“I’m not looking forward to it, but it is a tradition and we must respect it. It is also not intolerable. I feel good here.”
Rangers manager drives standards
Philippe Clement might have his reservations about the blue suit and brown brogues but he’s already begun delivering on the most important Rangers standard of all; winning.
The manager of the Ibrox club has big expectations on his shoulders but it’s those standards and that leadership of the squad which has made the club successful over its century-and-a-half.
Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken at length about the role of Rangers in driving home the standards in his career and whilst the suit sounds like a small detail, it has wide-ranging influence.
Oh, and whilst Philippe Clement might complain now, just like Steven Gerrard something tells us he’s going to get used to it pretty quickly!
