PHILIPPE CLEMENT has been sacked by Rangers – but not before time.
SunSport broke the story before anyone else this evening and the Ibrox club officially confirmed the news hours later with a short statement.
How will Philippe Clement be remembered after a turbulent time as Rangers boss?[/caption]
The 2-0 defeat proved to be Clement’s last act as Gers manager[/caption]
They said: “Rangers Football Club can confirm it has tonight parted company with men’s first-team manager, Philippe Clement.
“The club would like to put on record their sincere thanks to Philippe for his hard work and dedication during his spell in charge.
“A further update from the club will follow in due course.”
With a potential takeover looming, some felt Clement would hang on until the end of the season, when the new owners would inevitably appoint their own man anyway.
But his position was simply untenable following the 2-0 loss to St Mirren, a performance the man himself branded the worst of his time in charge.
Steven Gerrard is the early bookies favourite to be the next boss in what would be a stunning return to Glasgow but Russell Martin is also in the frame.
A caretaker manager will be put in place in the meantime, starting with the midweek clash against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
But as attention now turns to who could be the 20th permanent manager of Rangers, how have fans reacted to the departure of the 19th?
For some – as our columnist Bill Leckie wrote – it was a case of too little, too late. Clement should have been gone long before now. Just check the scenes from full-time against St Mirren…
“About time,” said one fan on social media.
“Glad he’s gone, but it’s an absolute shambles that it took you this long to tell us. Embarrassing!” wrote another.
Clement’s record as Rangers manager does make for some tough reading.
He had a win percentage of 65 per cent (lower than Michael Beale) and won just one trophy during his 16 months in charge.
One supporter went as far as calling him a FRAUD and that he didn’t understand Scottish football and the demands of a club like Rangers.
They said: “Good. People can make excuses for him all they want but the guy was a fraud.
“18 months and there was no style, no patterns of play, no progress in anything.
“He was arrogant and completely failed to grasp the expectations he was under and what was required in Scottish football.”
Another replied: “He had to go. I don’t feel relief or happiness that he’s gone. The club is in a dire state and it’s another sad day in our history, and ultimately sadness is what I’m feeling. But he had to go.”
Some had a bit more sympathy for the Belgian.
One said: “Sad this is how it’s ended, I genuinely felt this time last year he was the one and I still really like him as a bloke.
“He was dealt a shocking hand but this season we’ve seen he isn’t capable of managing the team despite everything and the way it ended was nasty for all.”
The 50-year-old was also given leeway by some supporters who feel the players and the board let him down.
This fan said: “Now get rid of the underachievers in that squad, and there’s plenty of them. And if this takeover does go ahead, the whole board better be as far away from the club as possible!”
Another called out the board, saying: “Sacking a guy seven months too late, six months after extending his contract and five days after the CEO came out and said he’s here for the European games, sums up this board.
“Another scatter gun decision. They are so far out of their depth it’s almost laughable.”
One fan shared their own personal experience of an encounter with Clement.
They wrote: “All the best mate. Sacked prematurely imo. Cheers for your time on the ferry to Millport. You were very kind and wish you well in your future endeavours. Once a bear always a bear.”
And indeed others wished Clement all the best in the future.
“Thanks for your efforts. There aren’t many tougher gigs in football at the moment,” said one fan.
“Best of luck Phil but need to hire the right man now, said another.
While this fan wrote: “You can get away with poor play if you’re still getting results but not horrible football and bad results combined. I thank Phillipe for the League Cup, the Old Firm win and some genuinely good European matches.”
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