Nacho Novo makes shock Rangers accusation | OneFootball

Nacho Novo, a popular figure in Rangers’ past, stirred controversy by comparing Philippe Clement’s managerial style to “being in prison.” Clement’s extended training sessions were notorious, often going to three hours with no days off, and all tackling was banned (Grieve, 2025). As one might imagine, that regime didn’t do much for the morale of the players. And as Novo said, “It was more about endurance than anything else.” Professional athletes aren’t likely to thrive under such oppressively retro conditions, and when it comes to professional football, isn’t the point of training to make players better and to make the team succeed?

By contrast, Barry Ferguson, the current manager, runs a much more relaxed camp. According to Novo, who played with Ferguson in the halcyon days of 2000s Rangers, the training is lighter and much more thoroughly enjoyed by the squad, who are even given days off. The once- or twice-daily sessions are replaced by the odd five-a-side game (McMillan, 2025). It’s a far cry from the tortuous monotony of Clement’s regime and has undoubtedly uplifted the team’s spirit. And who can blame the players for wanting a bit of fun in their training regimen? When players are having a good time out on the training pitch, it seems to me that they would be more inclined to perform better during matches. And of course, happiness is an excellent lubricant for success in any team sport.

The really amazing thing is how quickly everything can change based on how a team is managed. It’s almost like switching a light off and on. You’d think that when players aren’t allowed to enjoy themselves, but instead have to work through a tough, unrelenting schedule, they might not be so inclined to give their all. The question is, should the guys at the top demand nothing but discipline from the players, even if it means sacrificing their happiness? Long-term success is the prize that we all want, and Ferguson, if he can bring it, is going to have a lot of people who love him for what he’s done in his second act.

Ferguson, in Novo’s view, needs more time to effect change. So far, he has certainly turned the team around and improved its spirit (Grieve, 2025). Many fans who have seen this change firsthand would like to see him continue. In a world where the top bosses demand immediate results and where the coach seems to be the first person blamed when something goes wrong, it’s refreshing to hear someone argue for patience. Why not give the coach a little more breathing room to make his vision reality? And why not do this in the case of someone who is already visibly moving the team toward a better future?

In the end, Nacho Novo’s blunt criticism of Philippe Clement serves as a warning. When the infamous light blue training tops took to the field, Rangers under Clement were a leaden bunch. In the era of squad rotation and prevention of overuse injuries, Rangers’ players couldn’t have been as fatigued as they sometimes appeared. So, Novo’s jabs at Clement, while over the top, hold some truth: there was little joy in playing for a Rangers team in which Novo was a coach.