Godwin ObajeRangers in Limbo: The 49ers, Philippe Clement’s Swift Return, and the Search for Stability
When Philippe Clement was appointed Rangers manager in October 2023, optimism began to quietly bloom again at Ibrox. The Belgian tactician arrived with a reputable CV—previously managing AS Monaco and winning multiple league titles with Club Brugge. For a time, it looked like Rangers had finally found a steady hand capable of closing the gap with Celtic. But less than a year later, Clement is out of Glasgow and reportedly back in work before the club have even named his permanent successor.
This surreal reversal is a potent symbol of the current chaos surrounding Rangers Football Club. As the newly-installed American ownership group, 49ers Enterprises, begin their tenure at the top of the Ibrox hierarchy, they do so against a backdrop of managerial uncertainty, transfer market hesitancy, and a fanbase exhausted by instability. And now, with reports emerging that Clement is set to take over at Sparta Prague, the heat has turned up once more on those in charge at Ibrox.
From Hope to Humiliation: Clement’s Brief and Bumpy Tenure
Philippe Clement’s reign at Ibrox was, at first, a breath of fresh air. Within two months of his appointment, the 51-year-old had already delivered silverware, guiding Rangers to a 1–0 victory over Aberdeen in the Premier Sports Cup final in December 2023. That triumph felt symbolic—a sign that the balance of power in Scottish football might just begin to tilt once more toward Govan.
But silver linings faded quickly.
By the start of the 2024–25 campaign, Rangers were reeling from a disjointed pre-season and early domestic struggles. The fatal blow came not in a single catastrophic result but through a sequence of deeply troubling performances. A shocking Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Queen’s Park at Ibrox—unthinkable in modern times—was swiftly followed by a dismal home defeat to St Mirren in the Premiership. By then, Rangers were already trailing Celtic by a considerable margin.
With tensions mounting and the mood turning toxic, the board acted. Clement was sacked amid growing dissatisfaction, both within the dressing room and the stands.
A Swift Return: Clement Finds New Life in Prague
While Rangers continue to dither over who will lead them into the 2025/26 season, Clement has wasted no time returning to management. According to a report from Czech outlet Ruik on 31 May, the Belgian is set to take charge at Sparta Prague. An official announcement, they claim, is imminent.
For Rangers fans still smarting from the end of Clement’s turbulent reign, the development is more than just a footnote—it is a stark reminder of the club’s current dysfunction.
“It is a shameful moment for the Govan outfit that Clement will seemingly be back in a dugout before they have even handed the reins over to their new boss,” reads one searing opinion.
It’s difficult to disagree. Whatever one thinks of Clement’s managerial ability, the fact that his replacement has yet to be appointed, weeks into the off-season and with the transfer window around the corner, speaks volumes about the current malaise in the corridors of power at Ibrox.
Enter the 49ers: American Influence Arrives in Glasgow
The takeover by San Francisco 49ers Enterprises—finalised earlier this month—was heralded by some as the dawn of a new era. The American investment group, which also owns a controlling stake in Leeds United, has made no secret of its ambition to bring modern football infrastructure and commercial nous to European clubs.
Yet their initial handling of the managerial situation at Rangers has left much to be desired.
The interim appointment of club legend Barry Ferguson after Clement’s dismissal was met with cautious optimism. But Ferguson, who had been keen to make the role permanent, was quietly relieved of his duties at the end of the campaign, leaving Rangers back at square one.
The problem isn’t necessarily that Ferguson wasn’t retained—his lack of top-flight managerial experience made his appointment a stop-gap solution at best—but rather the timing and lack of transparency that continue to dog the club’s decision-making.
“The American owners need to get a move on, as there is a lot of work to be done this summer to reshape the Auchenhowie side’s fortunes,” the commentary continues.
The Candidates: Ancelotti, Martin, and the Search for Vision
Rangers’ managerial shortlist is believed to be narrowing, with two frontrunners emerging: Davide Ancelotti, son of the legendary Carlo Ancelotti and currently on the coaching staff at Real Madrid, and Southampton manager Russell Martin.
Martin, a known proponent of progressive football, has earned plaudits for implementing a possession-based system at both MK Dons and Southampton. His time at St Mary’s has been defined by structural improvement and youth integration—attributes which could translate well to Rangers’ current squad.
Ancelotti, by contrast, brings elite European pedigree through his lineage and coaching education, though his lack of experience as a first-team manager may give the Ibrox board pause.
Steven Gerrard, who had been loosely linked with a return to Rangers, is understood to have ruled himself out of the running, leaving the club to focus on more viable long-term options.
“Davide Ancelotti and Russell Martin are the frontrunners for the Bears’ job after Steven Gerrard pulled out of the running,” the article notes.
Squad in Flux: A Time-Sensitive Challenge
Time is not a luxury Rangers can afford.
With preseason rapidly approaching and the summer transfer window about to open, whoever assumes control will need to hit the ground running. Rangers are facing a significant rebuild—not only in terms of personnel but in rebuilding trust among supporters who have grown weary of inconsistency and boardroom paralysis.
“The longer it takes to get the new man in place, the less time that they will have to assess the squad and make decisions on who is going to be kept around and which players can leave,” the piece rightly points out.
That task is made harder by the departure of several key players and loan expiries, coupled with the club’s financial constraints. Any incoming manager will need to balance short-term competitiveness with long-term sustainability—a juggling act that has undone many of their predecessors.
The Clement Conundrum: A Reflection of Deeper Issues
While some may question the narrative of Clement’s exit as a “disaster,” it is true that his reign ultimately fell short of expectations. And his quick reappointment elsewhere serves as a reminder that managerial failings are rarely one-sided.
Clement, in many ways, was a symptom of Rangers’ deeper structural issues. A revolving door of managers, erratic recruitment policies, and a lack of a clear footballing philosophy have left the club lurching from one crisis to another.
“It will take a lot to rebuild the club after the disaster that Clement left,” the article concludes. “But they will not have much of a chance to do so if the new owners do not get a move on.”
It is a damning but accurate assessment of where Rangers stand today. A proud club, rich in history, now caught in limbo between its past glories and a future that remains stubbornly undefined.
Looking Forward: A Critical Summer Ahead
The next few weeks will be pivotal. Rangers must appoint a manager who not only brings tactical clarity but also the emotional intelligence to unite a fractured squad and engage a sceptical fanbase.
The 49ers Enterprises must move decisively. Delay any longer and they risk beginning their stewardship on the back foot, undermining their credibility before a ball is even kicked in earnest.
There is still hope, of course. The infrastructure at Auchenhowie remains among the best in Scotland. The club’s youth setup continues to produce talent. And the fans—though battle-hardened by recent years—remain passionate and fiercely loyal.
But hope must be matched by action. And in the days to come, Rangers must finally take that decisive step forward, lest they become spectators in a league they once dominated.
Godwin Obaje
