Chris Sutton has weighed in on Brendan Rodgers’ long-term future at Celtic, suggesting the Hoops boss may look for a new challenge once his current three-year contract comes to an end.
Rodgers, who recently secured his fourth Premiership title with Celtic and 11th major honour overall, confirmed after the title-clinching win at Tannadice that he will “200%” be at the club next season. However, Sutton believes that questions will soon begin to arise about what lies beyond the final year of Rodgers’ current deal.
Speaking on the manager’s impact, Sutton pointed out Rodgers’ domestic dominance across both of his spells, noting that he’s missed out on just one domestic trophy so far. But the former Celtic striker admitted that the lure of Europe, or a desire for a fresh challenge, could become a factor in the future.
“Do I think he sees it beyond that? That’s very difficult,” Sutton said on Sky Sports. “There are a lot of things which come into the equation.”
He added: “If Celtic go and win another treble next season and do okay in the Champions League, you wonder what more is left. Brendan himself said Celtic will never win the Champions League – some call that realism, others a lack of ambition. But maybe that tells us a bit about where his head is.”
Sutton also acknowledged the pressure and demands of the Celtic job, suggesting there is a natural shelf life for any manager at Parkhead.
“For now, there’s no doubt he stays. But beyond the next year? That will be up to Brendan.”
Only Brendan Rodgers knows what he’s thinking. The manager has made is clear that he’s happy in Glasgow’s East End, but you’d imagine he does have some aspirations to head back down south and give it another crack.
Only time will tell, but the Celtic boss is set to lead Celtic again next term, and he’ll be defending, what he hopes, will be another treble.
