Analyst Views Potential Belgium Move for Rangers Manager Clement as Beneficial

Rangers manager Philippe Clement has been connected to the vacant Belgium national team position this week. Scottish analyst and coach John Walker suggests that a potential offer from Belgium for Clement could prove beneficial for Rangers. Walker stated, “I would drive him there myself if that was the case.” According to various reports, the manager of the Ibrox club is considered a leading candidate to take over as the next Belgium head coach, should Domenico Tedesco, who is currently under pressure, depart from the role. This speculation has also arisen following the appointment of Vincent Mannaert, Clement’s former chief executive at Club Brugge, as the sports director for the Belgian FA. Despite an initial promising period in Glasgow, Clement is currently facing scrutiny in his position, as Rangers are nine points behind both Celtic and Aberdeen in the Premiership standings. On the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast, Walker commented, “For Rangers fans, I think that would be the dream.” He added, “I think it would be almost the perfect scenario [if Belgium approached].” Walker further described Clement, stating, “Clement isn’t necessarily a modern football coach. I think he’s a figurehead and you saw that when he first came into Rangers, he was mentally quite strong.” He concluded, “That’s what international managers are grown on because you don’t get the time with players.” Earlier in the week, Rangers announced the appointment of Nils Koppen, previously the director of football recruitment, to the role of technical director. The club stated that Koppen “will continue to oversee the club’s transfer strategy,” however, supporters of the Ibrox team have expressed disappointment with the club’s recruitment efforts since his arrival last year. Nevertheless, Walker defended this decision, remarking, “I know fans will point to a lot of what they think is failed recruitment, but you are trying to fix a wage bill that’s severely problematic.” He continued, “I think with the data technicians and the technical scouts he’s brought in, he’s probably done as best as he could for what Rangers are trying to look to.”