Although Philippe Clement admits it, his personal connections haven’t always been the finest when it comes to football. Rangers will be hoping that he and Ibrox are a match made in heaven.
“I am someone who wants to win always,” Clement said. “It’s the way I am. I had a lot of fights with my ex-wife about that. It was because of football. When my children were small and we were playing games, I never let them win because it’s against my nature. I think also, you need to deserve to win. You can’t get it like a present – not even small children.
Clement declared, “I am a person who always wants to win. It’s just how I am. I frequently quarrelled with my ex-wife over it. It has to do with football. I never let my kids win when we played games when they were little because it goes against my nature. You must, in my opinion, deserve to win. No one may purchase it in the manner of a gift, not even young children.
“If you do, the proper attitude is not fostered. She didn’t share my opinion on that. After I left playing football and decided to become a manager, first as the under-21 coach and then as the coach of the first team defenders at Club Brugge, we ultimately parted ways. She want a regular existence with weekends and more free time. We parted ways at that point because she realised that would not be the case. The topic is football, which is also my love.
The gleam of a wedding band may be seen on Clement’s hand. He grinned and said, “I’ve been fortunate in that I later met someone who knows my situation.
Is he a fortuitous find for the Rangers? The former midfielder’s resume is undoubtedly impressive. With Genk and Club Brugge, he won the Belgian top division, not only with one club. His tenure at Monaco came to an end in June, but while he was there, they finished third in Ligue 1 and competed with PSG offensively. He has a history of bringing underperforming teams to a better level and has collaborated with various elite athletes. He was the most outstanding prospect among those mentioned in the media. Rangers believe becoming married to Clement is a success, and it is obvious that Clement feels the same way.
The entirety of this underwhelming Rangers team will require improvement from Clement, who takes great pleasure in his ability to make players better at clubs he has taken over. A hard schedule that begins almost immediately works against him. On Thursday, a trip to Sparta Prague is in store, beginning a string of hectic midweeks leading up to Christmas. The frantic timetables combined with the requirement to coach present a significant barrier, according to Clement. Then then, I enjoy that. I enjoy difficulties.
Not the first time, either. When we were fifth in the league and Genk was eighth or ninth, I visited them in December. We earned European qualifying, and with just one more player in January of the following season, we won the championship. They were therefore growing the season before. On January 1st, I travelled to Monaco and discovered 11 wounded players there.
“We had 19 Covid instances in the first two months. Players would so constantly come in and go out. Trying to establish a framework and a coherent narrative for everyone was difficult since people were coming and going. The initial outcomes were mediocre. But when everyone was present in the end, it was extremely nice.
Together with PSG, we earned the most points in Ligue 1 throughout the first six months. Ten seconds later, we passed second place and moved up to third. Therefore, it is feasible but requires a lot of work and dedication from all parties, including staff and athletes, who must work extremely hard in all areas, including focus and lifestyle. I’ll stay on top of it, and in the next weeks and months, we can evaluate who is moving forward and investing everything in the future of this club.
