Former Rangers manager Philippe Clement linked with surprise job

The Belgian boss was sacked at Ibrox last month but is reportedly being lined up for a new role

Philippe Clement is reportedly a leading candidate to become manager of Anderlecht next season.

Clement’s 16 month spell in charge of Rangers came to an end last month in the wake of a damaging 3-1 loss at home to St Mirren just weeks after he had narrowly avoided the sack after Gers were dumped out of the Scottish Cup by Championship side Queen’s Park at Ajax.

The Belgian boss has since been replaced by former club captain Barry Ferguson who has caught the eye in his capacity as interim boss – following up a penalty shootout victory over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the last 16 of the Europa League by coming out on top in a thrilling Old Firm derby clash with Celtic at Parkhead.

The impending takeover from the San Francisco 49ers in Govan could see the club opt to make a big name appointment once Ferguson has seen the campaign through, despite the Rangers hero’s impressive start.

And according to Belgian outlet RTBF (via footnews), Clement could make a dugout return in his homeland next summer.

Anderlecht are currently without a head coach on a long term basis, with club favourite and former manager Besnik Hasi taking on the role earlier this week until the end of the season following David Hubert, dismissal.

Hasi previously led the club to the league title in 2014 but takes over a team that are currently sit in fourth place, 17 points adrift of league leaders Genk.

And the report claims that if he is not able to win the Belgian Cup and close the gap on those above them, then he is not likely to land the job on a permanent basis.