Rangers confirm ‘outstanding candidate’ Philippe Clement as new permanent manager
![Philippe Clement Rangers (pic from Rangers FC) Philippe Clement Rangers (pic from Rangers FC)](https://images.ps-aws.com/c?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.teamtalk.com%2Fcontent%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F10%2F15115212%2Fphilippe.clement.rangers.jfif_.jpg)
Philippe Clement has been confirmed as the new Rangers boss
Rangers have confirmed the news TEAMtalk revealed earlier on Sunday, with Belgian Philippe Clement announced as the club’s new manager.
The 49-year-old arrives at Ibrox following the departure of Michael Beale at the start of the month, inheriting a Rangers side who are currently joint-second in the cinch Premiership, seven points behind league leaders and defending champions Celtic.
As we revealed, Clement beat out competition from former Gers defender Kevin Muscat to land the role.
Clement told the Rangers website: “I am honoured to have been appointed as the new manager of Rangers and I’d like to thank the board for giving me this opportunity.
“I am hugely excited by this chance to achieve success at one of Europe’s most iconic clubs across four competitions in what remains of this season and beyond.
“I am looking forward to meeting with the players in the coming days and to meeting our supporters at next Saturday’s home match with Hibernian, as we set out together to create a successful, winning Rangers.”
Rangers chairman John Bennett added: “I would like to offer my warm congratulations to Philippe as he becomes our 19th manager.
“His appointment comes at the end of a carefully planned and comprehensive recruitment process.
“A team led by our CEO James Bisgrove, members of the board, and former Rangers player and manager Graeme Souness, has spent the last 10 days interviewing several high calibre candidates, with those individuals undergoing a rigorous interview and vetting process. We thank all candidates for their interest in the position.
“Philippe proved to be the outstanding candidate across all the key criteria, reinforced by his track record of winning titles and I wish him every success as he leads us forward.”
Clement has Champions League experience
After playing at Genk and Club Brugge, Clement won the Belgian Pro League as a manager with both teams and gained Champions League experience with Brugge.
Capped 38 times by his country, he began his managerial career with Brugge as a caretaker before moving to former club Genk, where he won the Belgian Pro League and achieved the same feat twice following his return to Brugge.
It’s an honour and I’m very proud to start a new chapter as the Head Coach of @RangersFC !💙
Can’t wait to get to work with the team and meet the fans in the stadium.👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/7QMGbYuA9C
— Philippe Clement (@philippe_clemnt) October 15, 2023
Clement then took over at Ligue 1 side Monaco in January 2022. They finished third in his first season in charge but he departed the club in June this year after just under a year-and-a-half in charge.
Rangers are back in action on October 21 when they host Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox.