It appears as though Philippe Clement is experiencing a sense of déjà vu as he observes his team, Rangers, struggling to maintain their form in the title race, much like his previous experience as the manager at Monaco. The Light Blues have encountered a challenging 72 hours, falling three points behind Celtic after a surprising 3-2 loss to Ross County and a draw with Dundee at Dens Park. Their recent form has been disappointing, as they have only managed to secure one victory in their last five league games.
This is not the first instance of Clement facing a late-season collapse. During his time at Monaco, a 3-1 victory over Lorient in April propelled the team to third place in Ligue 1, positioning them for a Champions League third qualifying round berth. However, they only secured one victory in their final seven league games and dropped to sixth place, ultimately missing out on European football entirely. This led to Clement being relieved of his duties just two days after the final game of the season.
The similarities between Clement’s experiences at Monaco and his current situation at Rangers are evident. Both teams have struggled in the latter stages of the season, with a series of poor results derailing their title hopes. The disappointment of missing out on European football at Monaco is likely weighing heavily on Clement, as he now faces a similar scenario at Rangers.
Rangers’ recent form is cause for concern, with losses to Motherwell and Ross County, as well as draws against Celtic and Dundee. Similarly, Monaco suffered defeats to Lens, Montpellier, Lyon, Rennes, and Toulouse in their final seven league games. The inability to secure positive results in crucial matches has proven costly for both teams, placing their managers under immense pressure.
As the pressure mounts on Clement, he will need to draw on his experience and expertise to navigate Rangers through this challenging period. Learning from the mistakes made at Monaco will be crucial in overcoming the obstacles ahead. While the road ahead may be arduous, Clement’s resilience and determination will be put to the test as he aims to steer Rangers back on course in the title race.
It remains to be seen whether history will repeat itself for Clement at Rangers, but one thing is certain – valuable lessons can be learned from past experiences, and in football, as in life, it is often how we respond to adversity that defines us.