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Philippe Clement ruled IN for Belgium manager job by strictest of criteria as Rangers boss is the talk of a nation
Under-pressure Rangers gaffer Philippe Clement could be handed an Ibrox escape route as Belgian FA chiefs prepare to pull the trigger on Red Devils coach Domenico Tedesco.
The Belgium boss is on the brink of being sacked after his side’s shock Nations League defeat at the hands of Israel. And sources in the Ibrox manager’s homeland have told Record Sport he is among the leading contenders being considered as a replacement. Having made back-to-back foreign appointments with Roberto Martinez and Tedesco, there’s a desire among bosses at the Royal Belgian Football Association to go after a homegrown boss this time.
And Clement is being viewed as an early frontrunner. Former RB Leipzig coach Tedesco was appointed in February last year. But he’s now set to be axed after his side followed up a disappointing second-round exit from Euro 2024 with a disastrous Nations League campaign, which saw them avoid relegation to the B divisions only on goal difference. The Belgian FA have recently hired Clement’s former Club Brugge mentor and chief executive Vincent Mannaert as their new sporting director and it’s understood he would be keen to reform a partnership that previously saw them lift two Belgian league titles together.
He’ll face competition from ex-Genk coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck but any move might have to wait. Mannaert does not officially take up his new role until December 2 and it’s expected a final decision on Tedesco’s future - and whether to fork out the 750,000 euro severance package that will be required to sack the 39-year-old and his backroom team — will not be made until then.
However, an approach from the Belgian FA to hold talks with Clement might be a convenient development as far as Rangers are concerned. Clement is hardly flavour of the month himself with the Ibrox support, with fans growing increasingly unhappy with a team nine-points adrift of Premiership leaders Celtic and Aberdeen and short on attacking verve.
Clement - who signed a new four year deal as Gers boss back in the summer - has repeatedly insisted he will not walk away from his project in Glasgow. But should his team lose any further ground in the title race or fail to defend the Premier Sports Cup they won last year in next month’s Hampden final against Celtic, then he may have the decision made for him.
And it’s already being suggested that a switch to the Belgium job could be a move that suits all parties.
Belgian pundit Dennis van Wijk - who has managed the likes of Royal Antwerp, Cercle Brugge and Mechelen - has been quick to back Clement for the position. He told the 'Dat is Fussbal' podcast: “Why would you get a laptop coach who has never made it to the top? Philippe Clement has achieved success everywhere he has been. He can handle top players well. Just look in your own garden.”
