Leeds United and Celtic now ‘more appealing’ to Brendan Rodgers amid Premier League snubs
Leeds United have automatically become “more appealing” to Brendan Rodgers now that he has missed out on two Premier League jobs, according to Alan Nixon.
The former Leicester City boss is being linked to a number of clubs this summer, including a return to Celtic, where he was highly successful before bolting to the King Power Stadium.
Whether the FA Cup winner would accept dropping down to the Championship remains in question, but as possible top flight opportunities thin out Nixon believes that both the Whites and the Hoops have now become more realistic.
Responding to a question on Twitter over the Northern Irishman’s chances of taking the Leeds job or returning to Celtic the Sun journalist responded: “Rodgers has missed out on two Premier opportunities in the last week … so any vacancy becomes more appealing now.”
Phil Hay has repeatedly suggested in The Athletic that Rodgers would be the ideal choice of the new 49ers regime.
Consolation
A manager of Rodgers’ standing was always going to be in demand, despite presiding over a nightmare season at Leicester that Dean Smith was unable to rescue.
The former Liverpool boss’ reputation hasn’t suffered greatly for this season, in part because of the financial situation at the recent English champions.
The two jobs that he will no longer be getting are surely the Tottenham and West Ham roles, after Ange Postecolgou left Celtic for Spurs and David Moyes’ Europa Conference League win has secured his place with the Hammers.
One key advantage that Leeds United have in the Rodgers race is that fellow big-name relegated side Leicester are not a threat, making Elland Road seem a viable destination.
But the prospect of Celtic bringing back the 50-year-old to where he previously won back-to-back domestic trebles surely is, if they are serious about a reunion after losing Postecoglou after a treble of his own.
The Daily Mail reported late on Sunday night (11 June) that the Scottish champions have held face-to-face talks over a return, so if the 49ers are to have a chance to get their man they are going to move swiftly and make a very attractive offer to sway the situation.
In other Leeds United news, there have been doubts among the new American investors as to whether the takeover is the right move according to a finance expert.