Philippe Clement ‘suffers fresh blow’ as ex-Rangers figure set to land top job
Philippe Clement appears to have suffered a fresh blow following his recent Rangers sacking amid news regarding one of his former right-hand men at Ibrox.
The Belgian, who was given the boot by Rangers after defeat to St Mirren at Ibrox on 22 February, may be keen to reignite his managerial career swiftly.
Clement had recently been linked with a return to Belgium with Royal Antwerp, but the 50-year-old has appeared to suffer a new blow in the wake of an emerging update, after admitting he has only just come to terms with his Rangers exit.
Rangers former coach set to land Belgian job
With Clement having been one of the names suggested for one of the top jobs back in his homeland in the Belgian Pro League, the latest news may represent a setback for the former Rangers and Club Brugge boss.
Alongside him at Ibrox was assistant coach Andries Ulderink, for a short period between last June and January before his departure for personal reasons.
Ulderink is now in the frame to take over the top job at Antwerp, with the Belgian side sacking coach Jonas de Roeck.
NLSportnieuws, based in the Netherlands, reported on X (3 March) that Dutchman Ulderink looks set to take over at Antwerp with Clement still looking for his next chapter.
It appears understandable why the former Light Blues chief was linked to the Antwerp job, given its status as one of the leading clubs in Belgium, not to mention Clement’s local side.
Clement vindicated from some Gers fans
Rangers supporters were once again left reeling from yet another home defeat last Saturday (1 March), as Motherwell took all three points from Ibrox.
It was Barry Ferguson’s first defeat in his second game in charge after Clement’s sacking, the former Gers captain steadying the ship until at least the end of the season.
Some fans believe the defeat spares Clement of a portion of the blame with which he was attached following similar poor results that have come far too often this campaign.
| Philippe Clement – managerial career | Period |
| Waasland-Beveren | 2017 |
| Genk | 2017-2019 |
| Club Brugge | 2019-2022 |
| Monaco | 2022-2023 |
| Rangers | 2023-2025 |
Many are now of the opinion that the players are the main cause of the rut rather than Clement himself, and that Ferguson will struggle to get any added performance out of the current squad between now and the summer.
A view from the outside is that surely if Clement wanted the Antwerp job so soon after packing his bags from Glasgow, he would have outranked Ulderink for it and is likely just taking a breath before reassessing his options.