SBOTOP: Philippe Clement Appointed Head Coach of Norwich After Leaving Rangers

In a significant move in the football managerial world, Philippe Clement has been appointed as the new head coach of Norwich City, following his departure from Rangers. This change marks the end of his tenure in Scotland, where he had a transformative impact on Rangers, and begins a new chapter in his managerial career in the English Championship. Clement’s appointment has been met with a mix of excitement and curiosity, as Norwich City, under his leadership, look to push for promotion back to the Premier League after their relegation.

This article delves into Philippe Clement’s journey as a manager, examining his time at Rangers and his philosophy that made him a standout figure in Scottish football. We’ll explore what his appointment means for Norwich City as they aim to return to the top flight, his tactical approach, and the expectations surrounding his new role. Additionally, we’ll look at the context of Norwich’s recent struggles, the challenges they face in the Championship, and how Clement’s experience and leadership style can help the club reach its ambitions.

Philippe Clement’s Rise to Prominence From Player to Manager

Before becoming a manager, Philippe Clement had a distinguished playing career, particularly in the Belgian domestic league. Born in Belgium, Clement was a central defender who spent the bulk of his playing years with Club Brugge, where he achieved significant success. Known for his leadership qualities, tactical awareness, and strong defensive presence, Clement was an integral part of the team’s successes. His leadership on the field set the stage for his future managerial career.

After retiring from playing, Clement transitioned into coaching, initially taking on roles in Belgium before making his name as a manager. His first major managerial role came with Waasland-Beveren, a club he helped to exceed expectations. However, it was his subsequent move to Genk, a club in Belgium’s top division, where he truly began to make waves.

Under Clement’s leadership, Genk experienced a period of great success, including winning the Belgian Pro League in the 2018-2019 season. This achievement caught the eye of larger clubs, and Clement’s stock quickly rose. Known for his tactical intelligence, emphasis on fluid attacking football, and his ability to develop young talent, Clement was regarded as one of the brightest up-and-coming managerial talents in European football.

Clement’s success at Genk led to a move to Rangers, where he was appointed as head coach. It was a club that offered him the chance to manage at a higher level, with the Scottish Premiership offering a platform for Clement to prove himself on the European stage.

Clement’s Impact at Rangers Building a Competitive Team

Philippe Clement’s time at Rangers was marked by high expectations, pressure, and success. When he took over, Rangers had been struggling to keep pace with Celtic, their fierce rivals in the Scottish Premiership. Under the leadership of Steven Gerrard, Rangers had made significant strides, but the club was still in the process of rebuilding after years of decline.

Clement’s arrival was seen as an opportunity to take Rangers to the next level. He was tasked with improving the team’s consistency, while also addressing the growing gap between Rangers and Celtic. Clement’s first season saw steady improvements in the squad, with his tactical approach bringing more solidity and structure to the team.

One of the key aspects of Clement’s management at Rangers was his emphasis on building a solid defensive unit, which laid the foundation for their future success. His tactical setup allowed Rangers to be more organized at the back, while still maintaining their attacking threat. Clement’s Rangers were hard to break down, and he made sure that the team had a balance between defense and attack.

While Rangers were not able to dethrone Celtic during Clement’s tenure, his impact on the club was clear. He managed to bring through several talented players and improve the overall performance of the squad. His work with the likes of James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos, and Ryan Kent was commendable, as he helped them develop their game and become more effective.

Clement’s style of play was characterized by his ability to get the best out of the players at his disposal. While his tactical approach was pragmatic, it also had a focus on fluid football and a high pressing game when out of possession. It was clear that Clement had a modern, progressive outlook on football, with an emphasis on both individual development and team dynamics.

Despite not winning the league title during his time at Rangers, Clement’s managerial journey at Ibrox was regarded as a valuable learning experience, particularly in a highly competitive environment. His ability to make tough decisions, instill discipline in the squad, and continuously push for improvement set him apart as a coach who could eventually take on a bigger challenge.

Philippe Clement’s Appointment at Norwich City A New Beginning

After leaving Rangers, Clement’s next step took him to Norwich City, a club with its own set of challenges. Norwich had enjoyed brief spells in the Premier League but had failed to establish themselves as a consistent top-flight side. Following their relegation, Norwich was in need of a manager who could guide them back to the Premier League, a task that has proven difficult for the club in recent seasons.

Norwich’s decision to appoint Clement was seen as a statement of intent. The club needed a manager who could build a solid team, instill a winning mentality, and take Norwich back to the Premier League. Clement’s experience in rebuilding teams, his focus on developing young players, and his tactical acumen made him the ideal candidate for the role.

The Championship is a tough and competitive league, where consistency is crucial, and the demands of promotion are high. For Clement, the task is clear: he must ensure Norwich City not only compete at the top of the table but also perform consistently enough to secure a Premier League return.

Tactical Approach What Can Norwich Expect from Clement

Philippe Clement’s tactical approach is well-known among his peers, and Norwich fans can expect a few key principles to be at the heart of his philosophy. Clement is a manager who values control and balance in his teams. He is adept at creating well-organized sides that are tough to break down, but at the same time, he wants his teams to be capable of attacking fluidly and creating chances.

One of the hallmarks of Clement’s style is his ability to switch between tactical setups depending on the opposition. While he prefers his teams to dominate possession, he is pragmatic enough to adapt his approach based on the situation. This flexibility will be particularly important in the Championship, where teams vary greatly in their style of play.

In defense, Clement’s teams tend to be compact and well-drilled, with an emphasis on discipline and team shape. His Rangers side was renowned for being difficult to break down, and this aspect of his coaching will be crucial for Norwich as they aim to keep clean sheets and grind out results in a league full of competitive teams.

In attack, Clement focuses on creating wide attacking options and making use of quick transitions. This was evident in his time at Rangers, where he deployed wingers to stretch the opposition and allow for more space in central areas. For Norwich, this means there will be an emphasis on wide play and creating opportunities for crosses into the box, something that aligns well with the team’s current squad of attacking players.

Philippe Clement is also known for working with younger players and helping them develop their skills. Norwich has a wealth of young talent, and Clement’s ability to nurture and improve these players will be crucial for the club’s future. Expect to see youth players being given opportunities in the first team as Clement integrates them into his squad.

Norwich City’s Expectations and Ambitions Under Clement

As Norwich City welcomes Philippe Clement, there are high expectations surrounding his appointment. The primary goal for Clement will be to secure promotion back to the Premier League. The Championship is notoriously difficult, and securing a top-two finish or winning the play-offs will be no easy task.

Norwich has a solid foundation, with a talented squad, but they have been unable to sustain a challenge for promotion in recent seasons. Clement’s first priority will be to address the consistency issues that have plagued the team, ensuring that Norwich competes at a high level throughout the entire campaign.

Another key objective for Clement will be to improve Norwich’s home form, which has been inconsistent. For a club with aspirations of promotion, home games are vital, and creating an atmosphere at Carrow Road where the team can consistently pick up points will be a major part of Clement’s remit.

Lastly, Clement will be expected to build a playing identity at Norwich City. Fans of the club will be hoping that he can instill a style of play that is attractive yet effective. Norwich has traditionally been known for playing expansive, attacking football, and Clement’s tactical philosophy could help the club achieve this while maintaining a solid defensive base.