Celtic are in advanced talks with Brendan Rodgers over a return to the club; deal would make the former Leicester boss the highest-paid manager in Celtic's history again; Rodgers left Celtic for the Premier League in 2019 after winning back-to-back domestic trebles
Monday 19 June 2023 09:11, UK
Celtic are in advanced talks with Brendan Rodgers over a deal to return to the club as manager.
It is understood the Scottish Premiership champions have offered the 50-year-old a deal that is in excess of his previous contract, which would make him the highest-paid manager in the club's history again.
Following initial talks, the two parties are thought to be holding further discussions on Wednesday with one source telling Sky Sports News an agreement is not far away.
It is understood Rodgers will be backed by Celtic's board in the transfer market to help him deliver domestic success and compete in the Champions League.
Rodgers - who left Celtic in 2019 - had also been linked to the vacant job at Leeds United despite planning to take an extended break away from the dugout following his departure from Leicester City in April.
Sky Sports News reported last Monday he would be sounded out over replacing Ange Postecoglou, although Celtic have also been looking at other candidates including Pep Guardiola's Manchester City assistant Enzo Maresca.
Although his mid-season exit from Glasgow did not go down well with the supporters, it appears time is indeed a healer with many open to the idea of the Northern Irishman returning.
Rodgers has previously said he would not hesitate to rejoin Celtic one day, so could this be the time?
Rodgers said after leaving Parkhead: "That challenge may come in the future and I would have absolutely no hesitation in going back.
"An incredible club. Like everything else in life, it's just about timing. Whether I will be received back or not is a different story but would I go back to Celtic? Absolutely."
Celtic were a well-coached side under Rodgers and he fared slightly better than Postecoglou in Europe, finishing third in their Champions League group in 2016/17 before exiting the Europa League at the next stage, and coming bottom of the group the following season.
At Leicester, Rodgers led the Foxes to consecutive fifth-placed finishes in his first two full seasons and they beat Chelsea to lift the FA Cup in 2021, but he left in April after the now-relegated side dropped into the Premier League's bottom three.
The last time Celtic were searching for a new manager, the club was in turmoil after losing the league to Rangers by 25 points and several players out on contract.
If Rodgers comes in to replace Postecoglou, he will inherit a side in strong health with an opportunity to take them to the next level.
The Australian made shrewd signings who have impressed as Celtic dominated, winning five trophies in two seasons.
Fans will certainly be worried about the Australian returning to try and take some of those players to Tottenham but if he does, Celtic will be able to command a high fee which could then be reinvested into the squad as they prepare for another crack at the Champions League.
Kyogo Furuhashi was one of Postecoglou's first signings after he looked to the Japanese market and the striker looks destined for a top club.
The 28-year-old ended last season as the Premiership's top scorer and with just two years left on his current deal, it would not be surprising if his former boss tried to tempt him to North London.
Players like Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Cameron Carter-Vickers are under contract until 2026 and Jota's deal runs until 2027 so they could be harder to prise away from the club.
Celtic are straight into the group stages of the Champions League, meaning whoever does come in will have some time to prepare their squad, with their first competitive game not until the Premiership season kicks off on the weekend of August 5/6.
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