He may have incurred the wrath of the fans when he left, but Brendan Rodgers has always had Dermot Desmond’s backing.
And the majority shareholder’s faith in the Irishman could well see him make a stunning return to the Celtic, more than four years after fans turned on him for leaving them in the lurch before the Ten-In-A-Row mission had been completed. Neil Lennon answered the SOS and was able to get the treble Treble over the line that season. But things went pear shaped when Lennon entered the decisive season with records at stake. Steven Gerrard guided Rangers to 55 as the Hoops imploded. Lennon resigned and John Kennedy had to take the hits as the season petered out at Parkhead,
Initially, things were going well for Rodgers in the East Midlands. He led Leicester into Europe more than once and won a first ever FA Cup in between. But after rumblings over a lack of backing from the board during the summer transfer window, this season got off to a stinker and Rodgers was unable to turn things around. Dean Smith was called in to try to halt the slide but the Foxes will play in the Championship next season.
However, it’s Rodgers’ sweeping of all before him whilst Celtic manager the first time around that makes him an attractive proposition for Desmond. Ange Postecoglou claimed five of the six domestic trophies available to him. Rodgers not only claimed a Treble in his first campaign, but went unbeaten on Scottish soil with his Invincibles squad. A second Treble followed in 2017/18 as Rodgers made it six trophies from six. A third successive League Cup followed, and the consensus is that the title and Scottish Cup may well have once again ended up in the Parkhead cabinet anyway had Rodgers remained.
Normally, such a haul wold see Rodgers untouchable in the fans’ eyes. But they felt betrayed by Rodgers jumping ship. Not just for leaving, but doing so when he did after talking about the Ten being something he was keen to stick around for.
His destination also rankled. Despite their shock title win in 2016, Leicester weren't Liverpool, where Rodgers had previously managed, Arsenal, Manchester United or a Chelsea, who had all been mentioned as clubs Rodgers could take control at given his feats in Glasgow.
But it’s perhaps harder to hold a grudge when presented with your options at a time of need. Celtic have just lost one of their most popular managers in years. Rodgers was that guy before he left, and is available. What’s more, he’s a known quantity and is well aware of exactly what is demanded at a club like Celtic. He's been there and done several times over, and will be up against a relative rookie in Michael Beale.
Take the emotion out of it and fans would be clamouring for his return. But old feelings die hard amongst the support, it seems. One punter’s simple response was: “Please don't snake.” Another would prefer to look elsewhere, saying: “Time to move on ... Maresca or Knutsen are more progressive choices ... Ange is leaving a much better squad than Rogers left.”
Some are torn given the potential for more trophies against returning to a man whose already had a shot: “Would be a sideways move, he's hardly got a great record in Europe so won't take us further on that front, would rather see a new face in the door with new ideas & style of play. It's not like two years ago when we where a complete shambles on the park, so there's no need to panic but if it's Brendan then fair dos.”
Others only care about track record and medals in the pocket, which makes Rodgers the best choice: “Supporters can have an opinion on whom ever comes in but at the end of the day opinions don’t win leagues there are people who run the club and it’s down to them to decide who is the new guy and hopefully for the best, so let them do their jobs and supporters go back to being supporters – they don’t run clubs.
“Every manager will leave get sacked for whatever reason, we need someone right now to keep the momentum going we lost it for 10IAR let’s not do that again. If Brendan is the best option get him in ASAP.” Another posted with a joke: "I’m all on the Brendan Rodgers train. Bring back the egomanic!"
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