Philippe Clement to walk out on Rangers amid links to another job as situation worsens
Philippe Clement would be prepared to leave Rangers for the Belgium job if it becomes available, says Derek Ferguson.
Keith Jackson suggested in the Daily Record on 22 July that rumours linking the Ibrox boss to his national team job might see him leave amid a decline in his Light Blues side.
A surprise contract extension was subsequently announced on 2 August but it has been said to mean “nothing” if Clement struggles through a poor season in charge [Hugh Keevins, 2 August].
Ex-Gers midfielder Ferguson is concerned by how the authority which the manager had upon arrival last season seems to have dissipated already and believes he could walk if given the Belgium opportunity.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News he said: “Right away he had that respect from everybody and that’s starting to fritter away.
“I think he would listen to that job and if it came up I wouldn’t be surprised if he was to walk out the door.”
Belgium job would tempt Rangers boss to walk
After the controversial 2-0 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv ended hopes of a much-needed cash injection for the transfer budget the situation Clement finds himself in is a mess.
His squad is half-finished, he has one win in four games, injuries to the likes of Oscar Cortes and Ridvan Yilmaz have already hit, and he has players at the club he can’t get rid of in order to bring new men in.
Todd Cantwell is training away from the squad after asking to leave, with the pair’s relationship never thought to be the best.
And Ianis Hagi is starring for the B Team but appears to have been frozen out despite wanting to stay to avoid triggering a wage increase [Sky Sports, 12 August].
The Ibrox board have already made the decision on sacking Clement during a bad start to the season [The Herald, 27 July] but if the opportunity to manage his country arose, or anything comparable, it would be no shock if he left of his own accord as the situation deteriorats in Glasgow.
In other Rangers news, another confirmed departure has been announced but the guaranteed cash windfall is missing.
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