Brendan Rodgers

Before the age of 45 Rodgers had managed one of the biggest clubs in each of England (Liverpool), Scotland (Celtic) and Wales (Swansea), confirming the bright reputation he had when becoming the youngest manager in the Championship when he was appointed by Watford at the age of 35. He is currently manager at Leicester City whom he qualified for Europe for the 2020-21 season. Rodgers has been learning the trade since he was 20 after his playing career was very prematurely curtailed by injury. Having joined Reading from Ballymena United in his native Northern Ireland, Brendan was put in charge of the Royals’ youth team in 1995. Nine years later he was handpicked to join a new management team at Stamford Bridge, where Jose Mourinho had become manager. Rodgers became Chelsea’s youth team chief in 2004 and, within two years, was promoted to work with the first team. Word spread of his ability and Watford asked him to guide them away from relegation in 2008. He guided the club towards mid-table to finish 13th. Rodgers was subsequently confirmed as the new manager of Reading, succeeding Steve Coppell. He remained with The Royals until December 2009 before joining Swansea for the start of the 2010-11 season. He enjoyed immediate success as Swansea became the first Welsh side to reach the Premier League, after a pulsating Championship play-off final against Reading at Wembley. The Swans had not played in the top flight of English football since 1983.  Swansea went on to finish 11^th and Rodgers was a nominee for the LMA Manager of the Year Award. His success at Swansea persuaded Liverpool to hire him and in 2013-14 he came within a whisker of leading Liverpool to their first title in more than 25 years. He was named the LMA Manager of the Year in recognition of this excellent season in which Liverpool, who finished a narrow second to Manchester City, scored 101 goals. Leaving Liverpool in 2015 he joined Celtic six months later. He was instantly successful winning a treble in an unbeaten first season, following up with another treble in his second season. Celtic were on course for a third treble (which they duly completed) when Rodgers left for the fresh challenge of Leicester City in February 2019.