Brendan Rodgers revealed last night why he decided to ditch Celtic Park for the King Power Stadium.
The Northern Irishman took in his first match since being appointed at the club last night. He wasn’t in charge, but Leicester overcame Brighton 2-1 to give the Foxes an added boost.
Celtic fans have been seething since the appointment. It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours at Parkhead, with so many twists and turns throughout yesterday. Yet, supporters have been fuming with rage at Rodgers since he departed.
We’ve all been wanting to know why Rodgers did what he did. And, in an interview with Leicester City TV, Rodgers gave an explanation.
“I was certainly in no hurry to leave Celtic. Celtic is a huge club – a worldwide renowned club.
“I loved working with the players there and we were on a journey of great success over the last three years.
“But, when the opportunity came to talk to Leicester and I was able to analyse it, it allowed me to probably think that I had achieved and taken the club as far as I could at this moment.”
Not the tune Rodgers had been singing previously
You have to wonder where all of this talk about not being able to improve Celtic has come from. It seems like a lazy excuse, and it’s unlikely supporters are going to accept it.
Rodgers has consistently banged on about development. He installed a state-of-the-art hybrid pitch at Celtic Park as part of his long-term vision and has never once hinted at roadblocks in Celtic’s future under him.
Taking a club as far as a manager can is an old favourite of departing football managers. It’s a way of faking to supporters the reason they truly left.
Nobody can confirm the likely real reason behind Rodgers’ departure. Was it financial? Was it to do with his managerial reputation? Could he just not truly bear life without the English Premier League any longer?
Hopefully one day the true answer will be revealed. But as far as taking the club forward as much as he can? We’re not having it.
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