Hoops supremo Brendan Rodgers has once again been linked with a return to the English Premier League, with former champions Leicester City rumoured to be lining up an approach for the Northern Irishman’s services if they dispense with their current boss, Claude Puel. It has been another slow start to the season for the Foxes, with the Leicester faithful appearing to grow tired of Puel’s cautious approach – the same style of play that earnt him the sack in his previous tenure at Southampton.
Results have not been particularly bad for City, having picked up four wins from their opening eight Premier League games. This explains why Puel is still best-priced at betting odds of 33/1 to be the next manager to be sacked in the top flight – behind the likes of Jose Mourinho, Slavisa Jokanovic and Rafa Benitez in the betting. Although the Foxes faithful are realistic enough not to expect another title tilt, they are keen on watching a more exciting and expansive style of play if a mid-table finish is the best they can hope for. Would Rodgers view a switch to Leicester as something of a step down from the Hoops? Most definitely. It’s hard to see Leicester fighting for Champions’ League contention year-in, year-out and we all know that the Hoops are almost guaranteed a tilt at the Champions’ League group stages each year right now.
Furthermore, Rodgers has already managed at an EPL club with title aspirations in the shape of Liverpool. Rodgers had the Anfield club close to claiming their first championship in over two decades in 2013-14 before losing steam the following season. Whether Rodgers would be content with fighting for a top eight finish remains to be seen; although he’d certainly have a far bigger budget at his disposal than at Celtic Park. At the beginning of the 2018/19 SPL campaign, some bookies had Rodgers priced at 4/1 to leave the Hoops hot-seat before the end of the season, so even the traders of high street bookmakers have been weighing up the prospect of his departure soon.
Undoubtedly, the biggest stumbling block for any EPL side looking to prize Rodgers away from Celtic will be compensation. It has been reported that the Hoops hierarchy could demand up to £9 million to sanction Rodgers’ departure. Although this figure barely pays for a top-flight footballer these days, it’s still a sizeable chunk of money to pay out in a lump sum.
Perhaps the most interesting scenario would be if Newcastle United were to dispense of the services of Rafael Benitez, with the Magpies currently sat at the foot of the EPL table. Newcastle have always been considered a sleeping giant of English football and with a potential takeover of the club still in the offing, Rodgers could view Newcastle as a club with plenty of upside and minimal downside – providing they stave off relegation, of course. Newcastle are best-priced at 15/8 for the drop with William Hill, who currently has three £10 free bet offers for new customers who place an initial £10 bet of their own.
Meanwhile, it’s currently no foregone conclusion that the Hoops will claim the 2018/19 SPL title and Rodgers certainly appears to be relishing the battle with the likes of Hearts and bitter rivals, Rangers. Celtic are still 3/10 favourites with most bookmakers to retain their SPL crown, with Rangers second favourites at 4/1. However, Rodgers has admitted that the club “stood still” in the close season this summer, failing to build on another successful season last term. Whether Rodgers was alluding to a lack of investment in the first team squad or simply the playing style of his current players is unclear, but one thing’s for certain, when Rodgers does leave Celtic he’ll have a lasting legacy.