Brendan Rodgers Returns to Celtic as Manager, Ushering in a New Era

Brendan Rodgers has returned as the manager of Celtic, signing a three-year contract. In his previous tenure, the 50-year-old achieved great success, securing seven trophies, including consecutive domestic trebles. However, his departure to Leicester City in the middle of the 2018/19 season left many Celtic supporters disappointed.

Rodgers' new contract with Celtic surpasses his previous one, solidifying his position as the highest-paid manager in the club's history once again. According to sources, Celtic's board is committed to supporting Rodgers in the transfer market, enabling him to achieve success in domestic competitions and compete in the prestigious Champions League.

John Kennedy will continue his role as assistant manager at Celtic, despite rumors of him joining Postecoglou at Spurs. Stevie Woods, Gavin Strachan, and Harry Kewell will also remain as first-team coaches.

'Celtic return a very simple decision'

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Brendan Rodgers won back-to-back domestic trebles at Celtic

"I am thrilled to be back at Celtic and I am incredibly enthusiastic about this amazing opportunity. When I was offered the chance to rejoin the club, it was an easy decision for both me and my family."

"We have previously experienced memorable moments at Celtic, and it is my objective once more to provide captivating football, establish a team that resonates with our supporters, and ultimately achieve further triumphs for our devoted fans.

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"Ange has demonstrated exceptional performance over the past two years, and I am fully committed to upholding Celtic's progress as we navigate through our domestic and European obstacles.

At the club, we possess an immensely skilled and impressive collective of players and staff, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to connect with each one of them and immediately delve into our tasks ahead."

"I wanted John to be with me as we move forward. He is a very talented coach, someone I know well and respect and he will be very important to myself and our players.

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Rodgers will be assisted by John Kennedy after the pair worked together during their first spell

The club is in exceptional shape at every level, and I express my gratitude to the board for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading the team forward. We will collaborate closely as we aim to bring triumph and joy to our loyal supporters.

"Now, let's begin our journey!"

"We are thrilled to have Brendan join us as our new manager. He brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of achieving success in football. The position of Celtic manager is highly coveted, and after careful consideration of numerous candidates, we firmly believe that Brendan is the ideal choice for the role."

After engaging in a conversation with Brendan and thoroughly discussing the club's strategy and objectives, it is evident to me that he possesses a profound passion for propelling the club towards a brighter future and expanding upon our accomplishments.

We eagerly anticipate collaborating with Brendan to ensure the growth and triumph of Celtic, as well as to bring joy and fulfillment to our loyal supporters.

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Peter Lawwell, chairman of Celtic, expressed his utmost satisfaction in the selection of Brendan as the new Celtic manager. The decision to appoint him on a long-term contract was a clear indication of his exceptional suitability for the role.

Brendan is a proven winner and we are thrilled to have him back at the club. His familiarity with Celtic and his experience in tackling the significant challenges, both domestically and in Europe, make him the ideal candidate for this role. We are excited to work with him to propel Celtic forward and achieve continued success.

"Brendan is a top-quality manager. He has delivered before for Celtic and we are sure through his many qualities, he will do so again."

What is Celtic's schedule?

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Celtic's Scottish Cup win completed a domestic treble last season

Celtic players will return for pre-season training at the club's Lennoxtown base before jetting out to Japan on tour in July.

Postecoglou's previous team, Yokohama F Marinos, will be their initial challengers on July 19, closely followed by a game against Gamba Osaka on July 22. Subsequently, Rodgers' squad will journey to South Korea, where they are scheduled to face Wolves at the Suwon World Cup Stadium on July 26.

The club's initial official game under Rodgers occurs during the weekend of August 5/6 when Celtic commence their Scottish Premiership championship defense. Subsequently, the Champions League group stage action commences on September 19/20.

What awaits Rodgers in Glasgow?

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Kyogo Furuhashi had an exceptional performance last season, netting an impressive total of 34 goals in all competitions.

During Celtic's previous managerial transition, the club faced significant challenges as they grappled with the aftermath of a distressing defeat to Rangers in the league, where they trailed by a staggering 25 points. Additionally, the team had a number of players who were nearing the end of their contracts.

Rodgers steps in to succeed Postecoglou, inheriting a team in excellent condition and a chance to elevate their performance to new heights.

Under his leadership, Celtic has made astute acquisitions that have proven their worth, leading to their dominance and a remarkable achievement of securing five trophies within a span of two seasons.

If Postecoglou decides to bring some of those players to Tottenham, fans will naturally have concerns. However, this could work in Celtic's favor as they would have the opportunity to demand a significant transfer fee. The funds acquired from the sale could then be reinvested in strengthening the squad, particularly in their preparations for the upcoming Champions League campaign. Notably, Kyogo Furuhashi, one of Postecoglou's initial acquisitions from the Japanese market, has showcased immense potential and appears poised for a move to a prominent club.

Jota's exceptional performance as the leading goal scorer in the Premiership last season has undoubtedly caught the attention of his former boss, who may be tempted to lure him to North London considering he has only two years remaining on his current contract. However, it might prove to be more challenging to negotiate deals for players like Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, and Cameron Carter-Vickers, as they are contracted to the club until 2026, while Jota's contract extends until 2027.

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