Sorry Philippe, but you can't keep your job at a big club if you're failing to compete, writes GARY KEOWN as Rangers' form continues to falter
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Ten games it has taken for Ruben Amorim to go public in accepting and confronting the reality of life at a massive club where returning to a position of strength is a non-negotiable. Just over a month into his reign at Manchester United, he has spoken about the fact his job is in peril because he is not winning often enough. And if he needed any reminders about the ruthless nature of life at sides properly serious about being successful, he only had to glance over his shoulder to his old employers Sporting Lisbon, who sacked his successor Joao Pereira on Christmas Day after just eight unimpressive matches in charge.
![[St Mirren's Caolan Boyd-Munce put Rangers to the sword in Paisley on Boxing Day]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/28/16/93541443-14232213-image-a-12_1735402343379.jpg)
This is life in the shark tank. It is the lot of a football manager. It’s why big figures at big clubs earn big money. Amorim recognises that. There’s no blathering on with him about injuries, young players, long-term projects, financial figures, boardroom issues and how losing at Pittodrie can still qualify as the best display of a campaign.
![[Rangers suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat to St Mirren on Boxing Day after a poor display]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/28/16/93541409-14232213-image-a-13_1735402375796.jpg)
The Portuguese is at Old Trafford to win games, get United immediately competitive and set about rebuilding for next season and the seasons beyond at the same time. He is working with a squad of players that cost the GDP of a small nation to put together. There is no hiding place – and he isn’t looking for one.
![[New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is under pressure after a poor start to his reign]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/28/16/93541445-14232213-image-m-15_1735402408175.jpg)
What, then, does it say about Rangers that they are 10 months down the line from the wheels coming off the cart under their manager Philippe Clement and still sticking with the Belgian, still accepting dismal performances and results on a regular basis, still listening to his excuses and still refusing to pull the trigger?.
![[Ibrox interim chairman John Gilligan backed Philippe Clement at the club's recent AGM]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/28/16/93541451-14232213-image-a-16_1735402438688.jpg)
