Bombshell Condition”- Philippe Clement’s job at Rangers is secure for now, but CEO Patrick Stewart has outlined one key condition for the struggling manager to retain his position.
Philippe Clement is under significant pressure after a poor run of away results has left Rangers 15 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.
While Rangers have expressed their support for Clement, new CEO Patrick Stewart has warned the beleaguered manager that his future at the club is not guaranteed if results do not improve. Clement, who signed a contract until 2028 in the summer, is clinging to his job after a series of disappointing performances that have frustrated the Ibrox fanbase. Both the Rangers Supporters Association and the Union Bears have called for Clement’s departure in strongly-worded statements.
Stewart, however, reassured Clement that his position is safe—for now. After a late-night meeting on Friday, the former Manchester United executive confirmed that the board was backing the Belgian boss, but emphasized that improvements are expected, particularly in away form. Rangers have taken only 13 points from 33 available on the road this season, and Stewart made it clear that failure to turn this around could lead to a succession plan.
In a media briefing, Stewart explained: “There’s been a lot of talk about results and the manager. I understand the focus on myself and chairman Fraser Thornton, but I need to make tough decisions, and I’m committed to making the right ones for Rangers, not just the popular ones. The board is backing Philippe at this time, and we’re focused on identifying and addressing the deeper issues at the club.”
Stewart also announced that external football experts will conduct an independent review of the club, starting Monday. The review will include a comprehensive evaluation of the football department, with findings expected within six to 12 weeks. Stewart stressed that replacing the manager wouldn’t necessarily solve Rangers’ underlying problems.
He added, “If we rush to make decisions after every poor result, we risk being in the same position a year or 18 months from now. That said, I understand the frustration. The away results are not up to standard for Rangers, and we’re working with Philippe to improve consistency. But I’m not going to speculate on what will happen if results don’t improve.”
Stewart clarified that, while Clement’s position is currently secure, there are no guarantees regarding his tenure. “Football is results-based,” he said. “We’ve discussed the need for improvement, but I’m not offering any guarantees about how long Philippe will stay. The focus is on improving results, and we are working together to address the inconsistency.”
Stewart also emphasized that the club’s decision to back Clement was not financially motivated, following a £17 million loss in last year’s financial results. “We wouldn’t make a managerial decision based on financial reasons,” he asserted.
Regarding potential plans for a new manager, Stewart confirmed that Rangers, like any well-run club, has a succession plan in place for key positions. “Whether it’s the manager, myself, or the chairman, we’re looking at introducing a succession plan across the board,” he concluded.
