Brendan Rodgers looks set to make an interesting return to management, with the former Celtic boss closing in on a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Saudi side Al Qadsiah are close to reaching an agreement with Brendan Rodgers to become their new head coach, with the 52-year-old understood to be travelling to the Middle East as work continues to finalise a deal.
Brendan Rodgers has been out of work since resigning as Celtic manager in October, but that spell on the sidelines now appears to be coming to an end. Al Qadsiah moved quickly to identify a new manager after parting company with former Spain international Míchel González on Sunday, promising a swift appointment to ensure continuity ahead of a crucial period for the club.
It has been reported that Rodgers’ pedigree both in terms of silverware and playing philosophy, has made him the preferred choice.
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The Northern Irishman’s managerial CV includes spells with Watford, Reading, Swansea City, Liverpool, Leicester City and two hugely successful stints at Celtic. He famously guided Swansea into the Premier League in 2011, before later coming agonisingly close to a Premier League title with Liverpool in the 2013/14 season, finishing just two points behind Manchester City.
While major honours eluded him at Anfield, Rodgers went on to deliver consistent success in Glasgow. Across five seasons at Celtic, he won three Scottish Premiership titles, three Scottish Cups and a League Cup, narrowly missing out on two further league titles, one by a single point and another on goal difference.
His 75.5% win rate remains the highest of any manager in Celtic’s history, underlining the impact of his time at Parkhead.
Al Qadsiah, who are owned by Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company, are preparing to move into a new stadium next season and were keen to have a manager in place before the January transfer window opens. Rodgers’ reputation for developing players and implementing a clear footballing identity is believed to have been a key factor in their decision.
If completed, the move would see Brendan Rodgers become the latest high-profile coach to head to Saudi Arabia, as the league continues to attract established European names both on and off the pitch.
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