Brendan Rodgers appears poised to step in as the next manager for Celtic, a position he previously held until 2019. This move would see him replace Ange Postecoglou who left for Tottenham last week.
Rodgers’ departure from Celtic in the past stirred significant controversy. The Irishman became the first manager in Celtic’s history to leave the club mid-season, an unprecedented move that sparked outrage among fans.
Celtic supporters had grown accustomed to Rodgers’ deep connection with the club, which he often emphasised, describing himself as “born into Celtic”. Thus, the mere idea of him suddenly leaving to join Leicester City in the middle of the night was unthinkable, until it actually happened.
The day he walked out, however, was a whirlwind of surreal events that deeply affected Celtic fans.
Sceptical? Consider this: in 2020, Rodgers spoke about his departure from Celtic and revealed that some of his own family members, who are Celtic supporters, distanced themselves from him following his decision to leave. According to him, they have not spoken to him since. Here’s hoping that they have started to reconcile before his anticipated return!
“I had family who were just distraught I left Celtic, just couldn’t believe it. I have relations that haven’t spoken to me since the day I left Celtic.” Rodgers told The Scotsman back in 2020.
“I was only the third manager in the history of the club to complete the treble. We were able to do it as an invincible treble and then we did it again. And then people said you could have stayed and done a third one, then done a fourth one. When I spoke with my staff and took the ultimate decision, I felt the team was in a good place, there’s a mentality now within the team and you feel, not just with hindsight, the club could continue – go and win the treble again.”
The process of Celtic supporters warming up to Rodgers again had been proceeding at a glacial pace. That is, until last week when Ange’s departure hinted at a potential return for Rodgers. Now, it seems the fans’ icy attitudes are melting faster than the polar ice caps.
Rodgers is an elite coach, and if he wins games, nobody will care about how he exited the club first time around.
