Chelsea hero once coached by Brendan Rodgers tells Celtic boss where he ‘belongs’

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Brendan Rodgers has copped some flak of late.

The Celtic manager hasn’t been immune to the criticism aimed by Hoops fans over the past few weeks, particularly given the loss to Kairat Almaty in the Champions League.

Rodgers was desperate for new signings before that two-legged tie, but there’s no doubt he still had the quality at his disposal to win and reach the league phase.

The Celtic board are public enemy number one as far as the supporters are concerned, though, and there are murmurings that Rodgers could walk after a disastrous transfer window.

Rodgers is expected to leave Celtic next summer when his contract expires, and one Chelsea hero thinks the Northern Irishman should be back in the Premier League.

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Florent Malouda backs Premier League return for Rodgers

Florent Malouda was a Premier League and Champions League winner with Chelsea having made over 200 appearances for the London giants.

The Frenchman was around Stamford Bridge at the same time as Rodgers when the latter was a coach under Jose Mourinho.

And Malouda has showered praise on Rodgers, reaffirming his belief that Rodgers should not be managing in the Scottish Premiership given his talent.

He told the Daily Record: “Brendan Rodgers belongs in the Premier League. He’s been successful and I liked his spell with Liverpool.

“He has drive and passion for football. I remember him from my time at Chelsea as someone who loves the game and is great at developing young players.

“I hope he gets an opportunity to manage a team that aims for Champions League spots, with the budget to build a competitive team.”

Rodgers and his stint at Chelsea

Rodgers was the academy director at Reading when in 2004, new Chelsea manager Mourinho was recommended the Northern Irishman by Steve Clarke.

Clarke was Mourinho’s assistant at the time and was clearly impressed by what Rodgers could bring to Chelsea.

Mourinho appointed Rodgers as Chelsea’s head youth coach and played a part in the club’s back-to-back Premier League title wins in 2005 and 2006.

After Mourinho left Chelsea for the first time, Rodgers stayed on and eventually became the club’s reserve coach under a number of different first-team managers.

Then in November 2008, Watford approached Chelsea as they sought Rodgers as their new first-team boss. And that’s when the Celtic manager’s career really kicked off.