Philippe Clement SACKED by Rangers as Ibrox chiefs finally end boss’ turbulent reign after only 16 months

PHILIPPE CLEMENT has been SACKED as manager of Rangers.

Ibrox chiefs have finally decided enough is enough with Clement dismissed just 16 months after taking charge.

PAClement has been dismissed by Rangers[/caption]

Willie VassRangers CEO Patrick Stewart (left) and chairman Fraser Thornton (right) watching on in Motherwell[/caption]

Willie VassAlex Rae was Clement’s first-team coach with previous No2 Andries Ulderink (centre) drafted in as assistant manager in the summer[/caption]

SunSport exclusively revealed late on Sunday afternoon that Clement was set for the Ibrox sack.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to St Mirren proved the final straw and the club have now confirmed the manager’s exit.

Clement replaced Michael Beale as Rangers manager in October 2023 and won the League Cup less than two months into his tenure.

The former Monaco boss also led Rangers into an unexpected title challenge, but it was a challenge that ultimately fell apart towards the end of the season.

The Gers would eventually finish eight points behind champions Celtic.

There has barely been a hint of a title challenge this season, with Rangers’ campaign all but over by February.

The Light Blues trail rivals Celtic by THIRTEEN points and also lost the League Cup Final to the Hoops back in December.

Dire form either side of a 3-0 league win over Celtic in early January led to major fan protests, with supporters WALKING OUT during the match with St Johnstone.

Despite fans demanding change, new Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart publicly BLACKED Clement last month.

An upturn in form bought Clement some much-needed credit.

Rangers were on a run of five domestic games unbeaten when Queen’s Park visited Ibrox on February 9.

However, Clement’s side would lose 1-0 to their Championship opponents in a result viewed as one of the worst in the club’s history.

A video surfaced online showing Clement walking a gauntlet of some furious abuse as he left Ibrox following the humiliating loss.

He would, however, keep his job.

Speaking last week, Gers CEO Stewart branded that result ‘a source of shame’ but still insisted it was still wasn’t the right decision NOT so sack Clement.

Those comments came before the dramatic developments regarding the financial muscle of NFL giants San Francisco 49ers closing in on a stunning takeover of Rangers came to light.

The weekend would prove another horror show with Rangers, one that Clement branded the WORST performance since he took charge.

The Gers fell to a 2-0 home defeat against St Mirren, the first time the Buddies had won at Ibrox since 1991.

It was also the Saints’ first time recording back-to-back wins over the Light Blues for more than FORTY years.

And despite the words of the chief executive last week, Gers chiefs have decided they can no longer back Clement as boss.

The 50-year old has been axed just six months after signing a contract extension until 2028.

Rangers’ form in Europe has been good, with a last 16 Europa League tie with Fenerbahce on the horizon.

CEO Stewart had claimed the Light Blues’ excellent showing on the continent meant it was too much of a RISK to dismiss Clement.

But even that European performance hasn’t ultimately been enough to save him.