Rangers have announced the appointment of Philippe Clement as their new manager on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
The 49-year-old replaces Michael Beale who was sacked two weeks ago after just 10 months in charge of the Glaswegian club.
Clement returns to management four months after he was dismissed from his role in charge of Monaco following an 18-month spell with the French club, who finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season and narrowly missed out on European qualification.
The Belgian-born coach previously enjoyed successful spells in his homeland with both Genk and Club Brugge, winning a total of four trophies including three Belgian Pro League titles.
After steering Genk to the 2018-19 title, Clement joined Club Brugge – where he spent 10 years of his playing career – and won back-to-back top-flight titles between 2019 and 2021 as well as the Belgian Cup in his final full season at the club.
Clement is now gearing up for a fresh challenge in Scotland and returns to British football for the first time since representing Coventry City as a player in the 1998-99 season.
"I am honoured to have been appointed as the new manager of Rangers Football Club and I'd like to thank the board for giving me this opportunity," Clement told the club's official website.
💙 Welcome to #RangersFC, @philippe_clemnt #RangersFC is today delighted to confirm the appointment of Philippe Clement as the club's new men's first-team manager.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 15, 2023
👉 https://t.co/wvKAcWhIFu pic.twitter.com/dGqlDjjnNn
"I am hugely excited by this chance to achieve success at one of Europe's most iconic clubs across four competitions in what remains of this season and beyond.
"I am looking forward to meeting with the players in the coming days and to meeting our supporters at next Saturday's home match with Hibernian, as we set out together to create a successful, winning Rangers."
Rangers chairman John Bennett added: "I would like to offer my warm congratulations to Philippe as he becomes our 19th manager.
"His appointment comes at the end of a carefully planned and comprehensive recruitment process. A team led by our CEO James Bisgrove, members of the board, and former Rangers player and manager Graeme Souness, has spent the last 10 days interviewing several high calibre candidates, with those individuals undergoing a rigorous interview and vetting process. We thank all candidates for their interest in the position.
"Philippe proved to be the outstanding candidate across all the key criteria, reinforced by his track record of winning titles and I wish him every success as he leads us forward."
Rangers have revealed that the "new management team" will meet the first-team squad for the first time on Monday as they prepare to welcome Hibernian to Ibrox for a Scottish Premiership clash on Saturday.
The Gers currently sit second in the table and seven points adrift of reigning champions and rivals Celtic at the summit after eight matches.
Oliver Thomas
