Rangers have appointed the former Club Brugge and Monaco boss Philippe Clement as their new manager.
The 49-year-old former Belgium defender succeeds Michael Beale, who was sacked earlier this month following a shaky start to the season, and has signed a three-and-a-half year contract.
Clement, who briefly played in the Premier League with Coventry City, was fired as Monaco coach back in June after they finished sixth in Ligue 1.
Rangers have already lost three times in the Scottish Premiership this season and trail leaders Celtic by seven points with only eight matches played.
In Europe, they crashed out of the Champions League in the play-off round, losing 7-3 on aggregate to PSV Eindhoven.
Rangers have appointed Philippe Clement as their manager on a three-and-a-half year deal
Clement, 49, has previously coached Club Brugge in his homeland and also Monaco
After beating Real Betis in their opening Europa League group game, they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Cypriot team Aris Limassol on matchday two.
Clement’s first game in charge will be at home to Hibernian in the league on Saturday before a Europa League visit to Sparta Prague the following Thursday.
Clement spent most of his playing career in his native Belgium and played 38 times for the national side. He has coached Waasland-Beveren, Genk, Club Brugge and Monaco.
Clement said: ‘I am honoured to have been appointed as the new manager of Rangers Football Club and I’d like to thank the board for giving me this opportunity.
‘I am hugely excited by this chance to achieve success at one of Europe’s most iconic clubs across four competitions in what remains of this season and beyond.
‘I am looking forward to meeting with the players in the coming days and to meeting our supporters at next Saturday’s home match with Hibernian, as we set out together to create a successful, winning Rangers.’
Chairman John Bennett said: ‘I would like to offer my warm congratulations to Philippe as he becomes our 19th manager.
Michael Beale was fired earlier this month following Rangers’ poor early season form
Rangers are already playing catch up in the league and failed to reach the Champions League
‘His appointment comes at the end of a carefully planned and comprehensive recruitment process.
‘A team led by our CEO James Bisgrove, members of the board, and former Rangers player and manager Graeme Souness, has spent the last 10 days interviewing several high calibre candidates, with those individuals undergoing a rigorous interview and vetting process. We thank all candidates for their interest in the position.
‘Philippe proved to be the outstanding candidate across all the key criteria, reinforced by his track record of winning titles and I wish him every success as he leads us forward.’
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