Former Chelsea and Everton manager Frank Lampard ‘fancied’ the Rangers job before the Scottish Premiership giants put their faith in Philippe Clement instead.
That is according to Graeme Souness, the Rangers icon who helped the Ibrox board choose their new head coach following the sacking of Mick Beale nearly a month ago.
Philippe Clement eventually got the nod. Souness agreeing with CEO James Bisgrove that the 49-year-old Belgian – a three-time Jupiler League champion with Genk and Club Brugge – was the ‘outstanding’ candidate in the end.
But while Lampard’s CV cannot hold a candle to Clement’s, Souness feels that the ex-England international would also have been worthy of a chance in one of Britain’s most high-pressure jobs, his alleged failings at Chelsea and Everton perhaps owing more to circumstance and timing.
Frank Lampard wanted the Rangers job
“There was the two outstanding candidates; Frank and Philippe,” Souness tells talkSPORT (26 October, 11am). “The final say wasn’t with me.
“For me, Frank had the edge because of this; Frank, I think, has still got a great deal to offer. Taking the Chelsea job when he did was always going to be very, very difficult. The Everton job is a basket case. And have they improved since Frank left? Not a bit.
“So, I wouldn’t be too critical of Frank. The thing that encouraged me about Frank is that he wanted to do it. He doesn’t need the money. He wants to be a successful manager. And he fancied the Rangers job.”
Souness may have favoured Lampard but he is still confident that Clement can build a Rangers side capable of going toe-to-toe with Celtic. The early signs certainly look good. They say first impressions matter, and the imposing, straight-talking Clement made a decent one as Rangers produced their best display of the campaign during Saturday’s 4-0 hammering of Hibernian.
Philippe Clement makes flying start at Ibrox
“(Clement) interviewed brilliantly. He’s got presence. He’s got a very, very good CV and he played the game,” Souness assesses. “He was an outstanding candidate, and that’s why the board went with him. I fully get that.
“Football players are a cynical judge. You stand in front of them, and they are judging you. This guy has got presence, stature and his English is excellent. He talks what I think is sensible football chat. He’s not making it too scientific like a hell of a lot of coaches do today.”
Clement will take charge of Rangers for the second time during tonight’s Europa League trip to Sparta Prague.
