Football

Axed boss Rodgers believes he would have kept Leicester up

April 4, 2023 12:00 pm

Brendan Rodgers Leicester

Recently sacked manager Brendan Rodgers insists he would have kept Leicester City in the Premier League this season had been allowed to keep his job with the Foxes.

The Northern Irish coach exited Leicester on Sunday by mutual consent following a largely successful four-year stint at the King Power Stadium, though the 50-year-old revealed his disappointment in a statement released through the League Managers’ Association.

Rodgers left Glasgow giants Celtic for Leicester in February 2019 before leading City to successive 5th place finishes in his first two campaigns in charge of the Foxes. Rodgers also lead Leicester to FA Cup glory in 2021.

Rodgers shares his disappointment

In his first statement since leaving Leicester, Rodgers revealed: “I am obviously disappointed to depart so close to the end of the season and had every confidence that we would have delivered the results needed to preserve the club’s Premier League status.

“I would like to wish everybody at the club the very best of luck as they seek to continue to deliver on this objective.

“There is a strong infrastructure and environment in place that puts the club on a strong footing to move forward – a world-class training facility, a passionate and unswerving fan base, a group of great players full of ability and character, and special owners.”

Rodgers eyes up next challenge

Despite losing his job with Leicester just a few days ago, Brendan Rodgers already seems keen to jump straight back into Premier League management.

“I’m now looking forward to having a chance to reflect and recharge and get ready for the next opportunity,” he said in his statement.

“I would like to thank the Leicester City chairman Mr Srivaddhanaprabha and all of the board for giving me the opportunity to manage Leicester City and make history with this great football club over the past four years.

“Winning against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in 2021, to deliver a first FA Cup for the club and its supporters, together with securing European qualification in consecutive seasons are moments I will never forget.

“We forged a special relationship and I will always have the utmost respect and affection for them.

“The players, my staff and I gave it our all every single day and I will always be proud of what we were able to achieve together.

Leicester begin life after Rodgers

Leicester City will play their first Premier League fixtures since Rodgers’s departure on Tuesday evening, with first-team coaches Adam Sadler and Mike Stowell in temporary charge, when they welcome Aston Villa to the King Power Stadium before they host Bournemouth just a couple of days later.

After that the relegation contenders face a tough test when they travel to take on defending champions, Manchester City.

Leicester haven’t finished outside the top ten positions in the Premier League since 2017, however, they dropped down to second last place in the table following last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace.

The Foxes allowed a toothless Eagles side to clock a whopping 31 attempts against them in what felt like a new nadir for their season.

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