Erik Gerits, who oversaw Clement in the boardroom and served as his coach, believes that the English Premier League is the logical next step.
Although Philippe Clement kept Rangers in the title fight, his old manager believes he’s a perfect fit for the top flight in England, saying fans “ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Following the arrival of the Belgian, the Light Blues closed a seven-point deficit to overtake Celtic at the top of the standings. Due to the soggy Dens Park pitch, last Sunday’s trip to Dundee was a washout, putting them one point behind with a game remaining. However, with two more Old Firm matches to come, both players are still in control of their Premiership title fate.
When 50-year-old Clement was a diligent midfield player in Belgium, Erik Gerits was Genk’s assistant manager. When the Ibrox coach rejoined the team to assume leadership, Gerits became the club’s chief executive officer. Gerits believes Clement’s time on the touchline is not yet over, believing that Clement was destined for management even while he was still tying his own shoes.
“I’ve always liked Philippe as a footballer, and a coach ? but most of all as a man,” he told the Scottish Sun.
What is the English phrase for? You still haven’t noticed anything? Philippe has a lot more left in him as a career, so I would tell the Rangers supporters that he isn’t done yet.
“At barely fifty, he’s still quite young. Even though his coaching career at Rangers has been going well since moving to Scotland, he still has goals for the future.
“It would be easy for me to envision him managing a Premier League team in England. I am 100% able to picture that.
“If that were the case, I would likewise be unapologetically certain that he would succeed there. Clement possesses both talent and quality.
“As a person, Philippe does things correctly. When he was a player at Genk he called me while I was on holiday in Turkiye to tell me he had the chance to go to Coventry City, and he was going to do it.
“And when I had Covid a couple of years ago, he sent me a message saying he had seen the news on TV and that he wished me well. That’s the kind of person he is.
“I’ve been in dressing rooms with Philippe and he’s normally quite calm. But when he does get angry it’s to motivate players, not to break them.”
“I first knew him when he was a player in the side and I was in the backroom staff. Philippe was a midfielder, a No 6 or No 8 in the modern day description.
“He wasn’t the greatest player in terms of technicality, but he was an important player. He possessed the intelligence and skill to control games.
“In 1998, during his playing career at Genk, we won the Belgian Cup and finished second in the league for the first time ever. We were a huge underdog and it was the first time the club had advanced to the final, but we defeated Brugge 4-0.
“Philippe was an exceptionally bright student in high school, and he demonstrated the same level of intelligence on the field. He was a born leader, and it was obvious that he would work his way up to become a coach.” He came to us in 2017 from Beveren to begin his coaching career, and he immediately excelled.
“In his first season, the team made it to the Belgian Cup final, and in his second year, we took home the championship. He attracted a lot of attention with the football because it was both attractive and functional.
“And Clement relocated to Bruges following his title victory. Here in Belgium, he actually won the league three times in a row—once with Genk and twice with Club Brugge.
“As a coach, he met all requirements. He’s undoubtedly the best trainer that Genk has ever had, and one of the smartest that I’ve ever seen in person.
And after winning the title, Clement moved to Bruges. He really won the league three times in a row here in Belgium, once with Genk and twice with Club Brugge.
“He complied with all obligations as a coach. He’s without a doubt the sharpest person I’ve ever met in person and the best trainer Genk has ever had.
