Outspoken Clement Stuns Viewers in First Interview Post-Sacking: “It’s Terrible” Comment Rattles Rangers Faithful

In a candid and emotionally charged interview broadcast on national television, former Rangers manager Philippe Clement broke his silence following his dismissal leaving fans and pundits stunned by the rawness of his words. His first public interview appearance since the sacking, the Belgian coach did not hold back, describing aspects of his tenure and departure as “terrible,” igniting fierce debate across the footballing world.

The interview, aired Tuesday night on a popular UK sports network, featured Clement speaking openly for over 40 minutes, addressing his time in charge at Ibrox, the pressure of expectations, and his feelings toward how events unfolded behind the scenes. But it was one particular phrase uttered with visible frustration and disappointment that stole the spotlight.

“I am not happy” Clement said, when asked about how certain individuals within the club had, in his view, undermined his efforts and created an unstable environment.

Q1. Why did you take the Rangers job in the first place?

“I took the job with full commitment, passion, and belief,” he continued. “But when you’re trying to build something and there are people within the organization pulling in different directions, it becomes impossible. That’s the terrible part not the pressure, not the fans, but the internal politics.”

Q2. What did you mean when you said, “It’s terrible”?

“I meant the dysfunction. Internal sabotage, mixed signals, and hidden agendas ruined everything we tried to build. That environment is what’s truly terrible not the pressure, not the supporters”

Q3. Did you feel betrayed by the club’s

“Absolutely. I was promised autonomy, support, and long-term vision. Instead, I got interference, silence in key moments, and people working behind my back while smiling in my face”

4. How did internal issues affect the dressing room?

“Players aren’t fools. They feel the tension and instability. It’s hard to ask for full commitment when the environment above them is fractured and constantly shifting in direction”

5. What do you say to fans who feel disappointed?

“I understand their frustration. They deserve the full truth. They stand by the badge we all owe them clarity, unity, and respect, not smoke and mirrors”

6. Would you return to Rangers if asked again?

“Only if the structure is rebuilt. Not cosmetic changes, but deep reform clear leadership, honest collaboration, and no backroom sabotage from people pretending to support the football side”

7. What’s your biggest regret from your time at Ibrox?

“ Staying silent when I should’ve spoken. Hoping diplomacy would win. It didn’t. I let problems fester, and it cost us everything we were trying to build”

Fans were quick to react to Clement’s interview, taking to social media to express a mixture of sympathy, disbelief, and anger. Some backed the Belgian, praising his honesty and lamenting what they saw as dysfunction behind the scenes. Others were more critical, questioning why he waited until after his exit to speak so openly and whether his comments were a deflection from results on the pitch.

On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #ClementSpeaks began trending within an hour of the interview airing, with thousands of posts dissecting every word. One user wrote,

“Clement was clearly passionate and cared deeply. If he’s saying it was terrible, we need answers.” Another responded more critically: “It’s a bad look to go scorched earth after being sacked. Talk on the pitch matters more.”

Club legends also weighed in,

“He’s obviously hurt,”  “You could see it in his face. But calling things ‘terrible ’ that’s a strong word. If he’s talking about internal interference, then someone at Rangers has to answer for that.”

This is not the first time internal politics have been hinted at in Ibrox boardroom dealings. Over the past decade, several former managers including Steven Gerrard and Giovanni van Bronckhorst—have alluded to challenges in balancing footballing decisions with executive influence.

What makes Clement’s comments especially potent is the timing and tone. Speaking just as Rangers begin their search for yet another new head coach as Ferguson couldn’t meet expectations too, his words could potentially influence the type of candidate willing to step into the role. If Clement’s claims hold water, any successor will need to navigate not just on-pitch challenges but also potential off-pitch turmoil.

In response to the interview, Rangers have thus far remained silent. No official statement was issued in the immediate aftermath, though sources close to the club suggested the board was “surprised and disappointed” by Clement’s comments, particularly given that discussions had been held to “ensure a dignified separation.”

Philippe Clement, meanwhile, made clear that he is not looking to start a feud with the club or its supporters. “I have huge respect for the fans,” he said. “They deserve clarity, they deserve success. But the people in charge have to be honest about what’s really going on.”

As the dust settles from Clement’s bombshell remarks, Rangers now face not only a critical summer in terms of recruitment and coaching decisions to succeed the interim manager ferguson but also increasing pressure to provide transparency about the inner workings of the club. For the fans rattled, divided, and now searching for truth Clement’s emotional words may have opened the door to deeper questions about what is truly going on behind the blue curtain at Ibrox.