'Rangers locked in vicious cycle as Clement departs'

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Nearly a year ago, around the same time, Rangers triumphed over St Johnstone with a score of 3-0, ascending to the pinnacle of the Scottish Premiership standings, reversing a seven-point deficit with Celtic into a two-point lead.

This victory marked their ninth consecutive win under the leadership of Philippe Clement, who had joined Ibrox the previous October after establishing his reputation for securing league titles with two separate clubs in Belgium. In his initial season, he clinched the League Cup and managed to lose only one of his first 26 matches at Ibrox.

It appeared the club had found their savior.

"We were floundering as a team," stated goalkeeper Jack Butland, reflecting on their situation before Clement's arrival. "We were trapped in a dead-end situation." According to Butland, everything changed under Clement’s guidance, yet reality was different. He lacked the necessary stability from higher management, as the club seemed to sway like a ship in turbulent waters off the pitch.

With a limited budget for new players—following significant financial losses from poor signings, budgeting had become a critical priority for some time now—he aimed to create a youthful team with future sell-on potential while staying competitive in the present. However, the squad seemed inexperienced, unreliable, and inconsistent.

Moreover, weaknesses in his managerial style, which were initially subtle, became more noticeable over time. As Celtic distanced themselves, Rangers grew increasingly frantic in their efforts to keep pace. Despite his determined rhetoric, Clement's influence waned.

He didn’t possess the players or the tactical acumen needed to consistently navigate through the defensive setups of less formidable teams. Throughout this season, even when some leniency is afforded by disregarding matches against Celtic, Rangers have faced defeat on ten occasions against nine domestic rivals with far smaller budgets.

Even in victories, they were never far removed from disaster. Automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League—despite commendable displays against teams like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United—was always shadowed by an undercurrent of discontent at Ibrox. Turbulence seemed inevitable.

As formidable as Clement appeared in the initial stages, he gradually succumbed to the strain of attempting to navigate a sinking ship that was still tethered to the harbor. When initial scrutiny fell upon him, his superiors at Ibrox communicated their commitment to maintaining his position, emphasizing that relieving yet another manager would yield no positive results.

Behind closed doors, it was noted that if Clement's résumé had reached Ibrox anonymously, both the directors and the fans would have eagerly welcomed him. But they had already hired him, and the board was resolute in their decision to retain him, or at least a majority of them were.

They had high hopes for Clement to rejuvenate the club, aiming to transform the dressing room into a youthful, energetic unit with potential value in the transfer market. There could be seasons without silverware, yet they were willing to accept that.

Although the supporters may be unhappy, they intended to remain steadfast amidst the turmoil, looking towards future benefits.

However, this position was never truly sustainable, especially given the poor streak Clement was experiencing, coupled with dismal away performances and a team lacking confidence and clear direction.

Thus, the cycle restarts - a search for a new manager leading to a thorough overhaul in the locker room. Coaches were shown the door, while new ones were brought in, players left, and fresh faces joined, along with discussions of compensation, a revised style of play, and yet another fresh beginning.

Clement was dismissed following Saturday's disheartening home defeat against St Mirren, which came closely on the heels of the embarrassing Scottish Cup elimination by Queen's Park, not long after losing points to Dundee, Hibernian, and Motherwell, just three days after another setback against St Mirren.

Even those who framed the instability in the boardroom, along with downsizing, poor recruitment, and a mentally weak dressing room as a nuanced defense for Clement ultimately reached their limit.

Some recent performances left no room for recovery. No manager could endure such a string of domestic losses and draws, even though there were various factors contributing to Clement's downfall beyond just him.

The incoming manager will need to navigate the aftermath. He is faced with a team of questionable character, players capable of stepping up against stronger European rivals – when the stakes are low and the game is fluid – while struggling to perform against inferior teams at home, especially when grit is required.

In straightforward terms, they are not trustworthy.

Clement wrestled with significant challenges in devising strategies against domestic teams that played defensively, but attributing the entirety of the situation to him would excuse his frail players, many of whom earned substantial salaries, from accountability.

Competent players can adapt on the fly. Weak ones rely on the manager for solutions. The Rangers locker room has an abundance of followers but lacks sufficient leaders. Many of them would not be the ones you would choose to stand beside in tough situations.

It remains uncertain how many of them the new manager will actually desire. Shifting management is not a cost-effective endeavor.

As legal proceedings unfold regarding a potential change in club ownership, Rangers find themselves trapped in a relentless cycle. Managers may come and go, yet everything else remains unchanged.