Anderlecht Rebuffed By Rangers Boss In Manager Hunt

Anderlecht’s search for a permanent head coach has taken a hit after Philippe Clement confirmed he will not be leaving Rangers to take over at the Belgian club.

During a press conference ahead of Rangers’ Europa League clash with Malmö, Clement was asked by Sporza about the rumours linking him with the Anderlecht job. His response was definitive: “Last month I signed a long-term contract with Rangers. Whichever team comes, I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving, that’s very clear.” Clement’s firm statement immediately ended any speculation about a potential return to Belgian football, where he had previously enjoyed success with Club Brugge and Genk.

Analyst Gert Verheyen, a former teammate of Clement, offered insight into the situation. He explained that while Clement would make a good coach for any club, it made sense for him to stay at Rangers. “If you lose a few games at Rangers, you immediately come under pressure. But he recently signed a long-term contract. There is no reason to return to Belgium,”

This seemingly ended any realistic chance of Clement taking over at Anderlecht, despite him being a strong candidate for the job.

With Clement off the table, Anderlecht will now need to refocus their efforts on finding a suitable permanent manager. Other names being discussed include Mark van Bommel, who is available after leaving Antwerp, as well as Karel Geraerts, Kasper Hjulmand, and Kjetil Knutsen. In the meantime, youth coach David Hubert has stepped up as interim head coach and has already had an impact, guiding the team to a crucial win in midweek.

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Under the temporary leadership of Hubert, Anderlecht finally secured a much-needed victory in their Europa League opener against Ferencvaros, putting an end to a difficult run of four games without a win. The 2-0 triumph brought relief to the fans and players alike, but Hubert remained cautious in his post-match assessment. “It’s not enough yet,” he warned, suggesting that there is still much work to do to fully turn the team’s fortunes around.

Goal scorer Kasper Dolberg expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, noting the confidence with which they played, especially in the opening stages. “In certain periods, we played great football. To be honest, I felt that we had the upper hand—especially in the first 25 minutes. Even without creating much. After those goals, we got more freedom,”.

Danish striker Dolberg, who has been crucial to Anderlecht’s attack this season, also commented on the current managerial situation. “David (Hubert) is doing a good job. He knows what we need. At a certain point, you do need clarity, but David is doing well now,” Dolberg stated. His remarks hint at the importance of stability for the squad as they look to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions.

Yari Verschaeren, the other goal scorer in the win over Ferencvaros, echoed Dolberg’s sentiments, emphasizing the significance of getting a win for the fans. “This is what they’ve been waiting for,” he said with a smile. Verschaeren, who has struggled for form in recent weeks, admitted that his goal provided a much-needed confidence boost. “Mario Stroeykens played me a hard pass on the edge of the 16, but I felt like I could kick straight away. Maybe the keeper was a bit surprised. Although the ball went in well, this goal gives me even more energy,” he added.

The win was a vital one for Anderlecht, who had been under increasing pressure following a string of poor results. With a tough schedule ahead, Hubert’s leadership will be key in ensuring the team continues to progress while the search for a permanent head coach intensifies.

Site Opinion

Philippe Clement’s decision to stay at Rangers leaves Anderlecht in a precarious position. While Clement would have been an ideal choice to guide the club back to success, Anderlecht must now look elsewhere for their next manager. The list of potential candidates remains strong, but time is of the essence, and the club will need to act quickly to bring in the right person.

In the meantime, David Hubert’s steady hand has provided some much-needed stability. The win over Ferencvaros was a promising step forward, but the challenges ahead will require more than just a short-term fix. Hubert has done well in his temporary role, but Anderlecht’s future success hinges on finding a manager who can lead the team for the long term.