Rangers produced a huge show of support for Philippe Clement when they handed the Belgian manager a new contract on the eve of the new season.
As the Gers prepared to face off against Hearts at Tynecastle in the Scottish Premiership, it was a message that the ex-Club Brugge manager had the full backing of everyone at Ibrox.
Philippe Clement himself has claimed that, with the playing squad and the club’s hierarchy in the midst of upheaval, he too could’ve walked of his own volition.
Clement has since managed to navigate the chaos of the summer, not helped by the bungling Copland Stand development, with interim chairman John Gilligan reiterating that commitment to the Rangers boss this week.
But out there in the fields of Europe, the Belgian manager has been tipped for a shock return to the league where he made his name.
Philippe Clement linked to Anderlecht
Belgian Pro League club Anderlecht are traditionally Belgium’s biggest and most successful club.
Having won a record 34 league titles, Anderlecht also have five European trophies to their name having won the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup twice (75/76, 77/78), the UEFA Super Cup twice (76, 78) and the UEFA Cup once (82/83).
But in recent seasons, Anderlecht’s status as Belgian football’s dominant club has diminished, winning the league title only twice in the last decade.
With Club Brugge legend Philippe Clement very much part of Anderlecht’s problem – Brugge winning six of the last ten championships – there are now murmurs about a shock return to Belgium.
Clement’s work at Brugge between 2019 and 2022 has helped establish the club as Belgian football’s biggest force and now the Rangers manager is being tipped to do the unthinkable.
That’s at least if Mark van Bommel – who left Royal Antwerp in the summer – doesn’t take the Anderlecht job before him.
Rangers manager a ‘modern’ coach with ‘charisma’
Anderlecht are on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Brian Riemer and the situation was being discussed on RTBF’s the Tribune podcast.
Whilst all the panellists agreed that Mark van Bommel is the prime candidate to replace Reiner at Anderlecht, Rangers manager Philippe Clement was mentioned.
Specifically, it was ex-Anderlecht star Nordin Jbari who tipped Clement to cross the Brugge-Anderlecht divide and make a shock return to Belgian football.
“The future coach must have charisma and play well,” said Jbari. “Philippe Clement, even if he is taken (is a good example).
“He likes to play forward and is modern. He would be interesting, even if he has been to Brugge.”
Whilst we’ll file these links under ambitious, it’s a reminder to Rangers fans that there are eyes on Philippe Clement and how the Belgian does at Ibrox.
Having guided KRC Genk to a Pro League title before delivering two in a row and transforming Club Brugge into a Champions League club, the 50-year-old is considered a managerial talent.
Having committed to the Rangers challenge, you get the feeling the big Belgian has the bit between his teeth and is determined to make a success of things in Glasgow.
