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Balogun, Dessers set to get new coach as Philippe Clement faces sack at Rangers

Obi Donald
0 Rangers v Fraserburgh Scottish Gas Mens Scottish Cup Fourth Round Ibrox Stadium

Super Eagles and Rangers stars, Leon Balogun, and Cyriel Kolawole Dessers are set to get a new coach as their boss, Philippe Clement has been sacked by the club, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Belgian gaffer took over at Ibrox in October 2023 and has been at the club for 16 months, winning 55 games, drawing 18 and losing 16, accruing a 64.1% win rate while averaging 2.1 points per game.

While the statistics look decent, they do not tell the full story. Clement bottled the league title and League cup to their rivals, Celtic, last season, and this season has the Gers 13 points below Celtic in the SPFL.

UEFA Europa League Leon Balogun of Rangers and Philippe Clement during the UEFA Europa League match at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

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This season, Rangers have blown hot and cold, sparking several talks about Clement’s future, but the club hierarchy drew final blood following their 2-0 loss to St Mirren yesterday.

“I’m not busy with those questions or those things. I am busy finding solutions to get Rangers back at the level they should be. I am not into hypothetical questions,” Clement said when quizzed about his future following their loss to St Mirren.

“Everybody saw the team was nervous today. Was it that they wanted to do too good, react and give the fans much more? We need to look at the root of the problem and speak with the team about that. At the end, it is my responsibility to get them with the right mindset on the pitch.

“I can only say sorry and apologise [to the Rangers fans] from me and the team. This is not what Rangers teams need to show on the pitch. We all know this was by far below the standards we all expect.

“I’m always fighting until the end. My task is to get the team in the right mindset. That was not the case today. I need to find a solution for that.”

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Rangers Leon Balogun and Cyriel Dessers during a training session at the Rangers Training Centre, Glasgow. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

As per Sky Sports, the Gers are set to part ways with Philippe Clement and are already plotting for an interim replacement.

As per Herald Scotland, Rangers CEO, Patrick Stewart previously backed the former Club Brugge manager following Rangers’ Scottish Cup exit to Queen’s Park, and just last week, cited the club’s Europa League progression as a key factor in Clement being allowed to continue as manager but his journey with the club has now come to an end.
24/01/2024. GOAL 0-3 Leon Balogun celebrates with Cyriel Dessers after Dessers scores the third goal during the match between Hibernian and Rangers at Easter Road, Edinburgh, Scotland on 24 January 2024. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

Former Rangers striker, Kris Boyd, called for Clement’s sack after their loss to St. Mirren, and it appears the Scotsman got his wish.

“He has to go right now. It needs to be done now – I’ve been saying this for months. This has been on the decline for months. There is no structure to anything they do and that’s from the top down,” the former Nottingham Forest forward said as per Sky Sports.

Philippe Clement consoles Hamza Igamane after he is taken off as Cyriel Dessers of Rangers comes on during the match at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow. [Photo Credit/Imago].

According to Liverpool Echo, Rangers are plotting to replace Clement with their former coach, Steven Gerrard. The former England captain is without a job after he was fired from Saudi Pro League side, Al-Ettifaq last month.

During his previous stint, Gerrard enjoyed success during his time in charge at Ibrox. He secured the club’s first league title in a decade in his final full season with the club, doing so while they remained unbeaten, denying Celtic their 10th league title.

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