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On This Day in 2007: Paul Le Guen leaves Rangers

:Headline: On This Day in 2007: Paul Le Guen leaves Rangers: ID:429117: from db_amp
The Frenchman, who had won three French titles with Lyon, lasted just seven months at Ibrox after clashing with captain Barry Ferguson.

Paul Le Guen's seven-month spell in charge of Rangers came to an end on this day in 2007 after the Frenchman walked out on the club.

It had been a tumultuous 72 hours leading up to Le Guen's exit, which started when the manager stripped Barry Ferguson of the captaincy and dropped him for the trip to Motherwell.

Le Guen then suggested there was little chance of the Scotland skipper playing for Rangers again under his management, having been upset at what he believed was an attempt to exert undue influence on the rest of the squad.

A falling-out with captain Barry Ferguson, pictured, left Le Guen facing the exit (Chris Clark/PA)

The club's supporters, loyal to long-time servant Ferguson rather than the former Lyon boss, sang Ferguson's name throughout the Motherwell match.

Following his departure, Le Guen said: "I am disappointed to leave the club, but I think it is the best solution for all concerned. I would like to thank all the people who helped me and my team during my spell in Scotland.

"In particular I would like to thank the directors who at all times gave me their total support."

The Rangers board did indeed back Le Guen, who arrived after winning three straight Ligue 1 titles as part of Lyon's run of seven in a row.

The 42-year-old was handed a three-year contract and afforded funds to mould a team capable of challenging Celtic's supremacy in the Bank of Scotland Premier League but his signings were largely unimpressive and there was scant improvement in performances, demonstrated by two defeats to Inverness and a cup capitulation to then First Division outfit St Johnstone.

Walter Smith returned as manager but could not bridge the gap to Celtic (Lynne Cameron/PA)

They sat 17 points adrift of Celtic at the time of Le Guen's resignation, with Walter Smith taking the reins for a second time on a permanent basis a week later.

Under Smith, Rangers finished 12 points behind 2007-08 champions Celtic.

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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718
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