Philippe Clement has emerged as the new favourite for the vacant manager’s job at Rangers in what has been a quick process.
James Bisgrove and John Bennett are said to be in the final stages of recruitment with a contract offer reportedly on the table for the Belgian manager.
According to Sky Sports, the shortlist of names to replace Michael Beale had already been in place and Philippe Clement hasn’t emerged from nowhere as Rangers consider their options.
Philippe Clement could have been on Rangers radar for months
The report on Sky Sports summarises who has and hasn’t been ruled out, but it also explains how Philippe Clement became a contender and when Rangers could have a new man in charge:
“Rangers have been whittling down an extensive shortlist that has been in place for months, as part of the club’s succession planning process.
While a new manager could be named later this week, there is every chance the process may extend into next week with the club’s focus on making the correct long-term appointment rather than rushing the process.”
Without a sporting director, fans have feared about who would be manager number 19.
Did they have anyone with a football background advising them or did they speak to Ross Wilson for help?
When Beale was sacked, Philippe Clement wasn’t a name that many Rangers fans would have been demanding but, his impressive CV and availability makes him a sensible and, largely, popular choice.
It makes sense that if the top target is available then Bisgrove and Bennett would want them in straight away.
The finer details of the coaching team can then be constructed later.
Maybe, for once, we should give the board a bit of credit though and that it looks as if they have arrived at a shortlist of managers with a proven style of play and a track record of success.
The alternative being starstruck by Premier League names like Frank Lampard and Scott Parker.
Next on the agenda has to be getting in someone to work with Clement – if he is the man in charge – a sporting director who will veto the type of transfers that have left us with £7.5m worth of forwards sitting on the bench for a difficult away trip in the league.
