Why I Will Not Laugh at Philippe Clement After Rangers’ Defeat
In the world of football, fans and pundits alike are quick to mock managers after a loss, especially when it happens at a club like Rangers, where expectations are always sky-high. However, after Rangers’ recent defeat under new manager Philippe Clement, I’m choosing not to join in the chorus of criticism. Instead, I believe there are several reasons why Clement deserves more patience and respect, even in the face of this setback.
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that Philippe Clement is still relatively new to the job at Rangers. Taking over from Michael Beale in October 2023, Clement was brought in to stabilize a team that had been struggling for consistency and cohesion. It’s unrealistic to expect instant success from any manager, especially one walking into a club with as much pressure and historical weight as Rangers.
Clement’s previous successes at Club Brugge and AS Monaco show that he is a capable manager who knows how to build teams and foster a winning mentality. But these things take time, particularly when inheriting a squad that may not fully align with his vision or tactics.
Managing Rangers comes with a unique set of pressures, perhaps unlike any other job in Scottish football. The club’s massive fanbase, its rich history, and the ever-present rivalry with Celtic mean that every misstep is magnified. Fans demand results immediately, and there’s little room for growing pains or experimentation.
But this is precisely why I’m not quick to laugh at Clement for this defeat. He has stepped into a cauldron of expectation and scrutiny, and while losses are always disappointing, they are part of the process of adaptation. Clement is working with a squad that was not entirely of his own making, and it’s clear that more time and some transfer window adjustments will be needed before he can truly shape the team in his image.
One of the key reasons for not mocking Clement after this defeat is that he is still implementing his tactical philosophy. Having made his name with an attacking and possession-based style, Clement will need time to drill his ideas into the Rangers squad. He is trying to instill a different system from his predecessors, and this often leads to teething problems in the early stages.
Football history is full of examples of managers who struggled in their first few months, only to turn things around once their methods took hold. It’s not uncommon for teams to suffer setbacks during this phase of tactical transition, and Clement is no exception.
Another reason not to laugh at Clement is that Rangers’ squad is currently far from perfect. Injuries to key players, a lack of depth in certain positions, and inconsistencies in form have all contributed to Rangers’ struggles. Clement, like any new manager, will likely need a couple of transfer windows to bring in the right players who fit his system.
Criticizing him for a defeat at this stage, without the ability to fully influence the composition of the team, feels premature. Judging a manager fairly requires looking at what they are working with, and at the moment, Clement is managing a squad that isn’t fully his.
Finally, I’m not laughing at Philippe Clement because I believe in giving managers time to build something sustainable. Football can be an unforgiving sport, where managers are often judged on a game-by-game basis. But if Rangers are to achieve lasting success, they need to back Clement and give him the time to lay the foundations for future victories.
One defeat, while disappointing, should not overshadow the bigger picture. Clement has the pedigree to succeed at a club like Rangers, and knee-jerk reactions will only derail the long-term progress that he could bring.
In a football culture that often reacts with derision to any sign of failure, I choose not to laugh at Philippe Clement after Rangers’ defeat. Instead, I recognize the challenges he faces in trying to turn things around at Ibrox. Transition periods are tough for any manager, especially in a high-pressure environment like Rangers. If given time, Clement could very well become the manager that brings sustained success back to the blue half of Glasgow. Until then, patience and perspective are essential.
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