BRENDAN RODGERS is one of the bookies’ favourites to return to Celtic as successor to Ange Postecoglou.
However, it is highly unlikely the former Hoops boss will make a comeback after his successful two-and-a-half year stint ended in acrimony in February 2019.
Rodgers made a hasty exit for Leicester City following seven successive trophy triumphs after taking over from Ronny Deila in May 2016.
PARADISE…Brendan Rodgers acknowledges the Celtic fans on his arrival as new manager in May 2016.
The Irishman has stated that he had “unfinished business” at the champions and he would not rule out a return – but only when the timing was right.
That is NOT thought to be the case at the moment as the Hoops ramp up their search for a replacement for Spurs-bound Postecoglou following the Greek-Australian’s two titles, two League Cups and one Scottish Cup during his two-year stay.
Rodgers was fired by the King Power club in April during their ill-fated battle against relegation from the league they won seven years earlier.
He has resisted the temptation to rush back into the dug-out which is the same scenario before he arrived at Celtic following his sacking from Liverpool nine months earlier.
Rodgers is expected to take a soccer sabbatical as he ponders his next move, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.
WATCHING BRIEF…Brendan Rodgers with former Celtic director Willie Haughey looks on as his old club win 1-0 in the Scottish Cup semi-final in April.
Despite the rapid exit which upset many fans, the ex-gaffer has a genuine affection for Celtic and was spotted at Hampden in April as he watched Filipe Jota head in the only goal of the Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Michael Beale’s Ibrox side.
However, one name on the Hoops hierachy’s radar is Kjetil Knutsen who led unfancied Norwegians Bodo/Glimt to a 5-1 aggregate win over Postecoglou’s side in the Europa Conference League last year.
Amsterdam giants Ajax are also trailing the coach who has many admirers in Europe.
West Ham boss David Moyes lost out to Rodgers in 2016 and could come back into focus after tomorrow night’s Europa Conference League Final against Fiorentina.
Former Leeds chief Jesse Marsch, who was also linked with the Parkhead club before Postecoglou got the nod, is another name in the frame.
Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca, as CQN reported earlier today, is on the list, but there will be no potential moves until after Pep Guardiola’s side play Inter Milan in the Champions League Final in Istanbul on Saturday evening.
