Philippe Clement remains favourite for the Rangers job, but the Belgian manager is considering Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia as well.
The 49-year-old, currently a free agent having left Monaco in the summer, is weighing up his next move, and his decision is fundamentally down to either managing a top side down on their luck, in Rangers, or a cash-rich Saudi side in Al-Shabab.
In short, it’s down to football versus money, really, albeit of course the Saudi league is growing at an exponential rate with tonnes of superstars now out there – it’s being considered a bit of a threat to European football if it continues to grow.
Direct from Belgium:
“Philippe Clement may soon have a job again. Our 49-year-old compatriot is in talks with the Saudi Arabian Al-Shabab FC, but also has other options. Rangers also have him on their radar.
At Al-Shabab, Clement would become coach of Red Devil Yannick Carrasco. The club has been looking for a new coach since September 6 following the dismissal of Dutchman Marcel Keizer. After nine matchdays in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Shabab only has nine points, which puts it eleventh.
At Rangers, Clement would even meet two compatriots with Nicolas Raskin and Cyriel Dessers. The Scottish club fired its coach Michael Beale on October 1 after a disappointing start to the competition. After seven matchdays, Rangers are third in the Scottish Premiership with 12 points.
Nothing has been decided yet. Clement also had the opportunity to work in Saudi Arabia in the summer, but decided against it. He still lives in Monaco after being fired in June.”
In Rangers’ massive favour, Clement rejected Saudi once already this year, and whether that was the wrong club wrong time we don’t know, but he said no to the money already.
Which suggests he’s interested in ‘serious’ European football and taking charge of a proper football team in a proper league.
The Dessers and Raskin connection may also attract him.
We’ll see how this one unfolds.