Rodgers, revisionism and reticence

Brendan Rodgers did not last as long at Celtic as he now has at Leicester but the wheels came off the bogey far sooner in Glasgow.  His third season in the Midlands will not reach the heights or performance levels achieved earlier, but yesterday’s win over his former club, Liverpool, underlines his abilities.

The money on offer in Glasgow broke new records here but was a fraction of what was available across the EPL, or in China, where wages on offer in the summer of 2018 were lifechanging for someone already on a multimillion pound contract.

Revisionism is now a popular pastime when recounting Brendan’s era in Glasgow.  Having won the seven domestic trophies open to him, while qualifying for both Champions League group stages before that summer of 2018 pivot, he owed Celtic little, although honesty and frankness with the support is a prerequisite.  Creating crisis when you don’t get what you want is unworthy.

The biggest surprise for many is that he remains in Leicester after two and a bit successful seasons there and the same in Glasgow.  That’s five years throwing aces like an Aussie bowler.  In the last two years, Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea have all changed manager, Brendan was overlooked on each occasion.  Why?

‘It’s all about Brendan’ explains it.  He played the media and fans at both Liverpool and Celtic to his own ends, to the detriment of his employers.  Big clubs with choices will be reticenct to throw the dice with him.  If he is in the market again, he’ll be looking for the desperate, not the aspirational.