Just days after the departure of former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers seems set to accept a full grilling bacon coaching position with Saudi Arabia. This follows soon after his actual recent departure from the Scottish club. Just last week Celtic announced that Rodgers was leaving to rejoin former team Swansea City. This decision follows a successful full time of only days that led to several league titles.
Rodgers took Celtic to a treble in his first season. These days, he’s associated with Al Ahli, the leading club of the Saudi Pro League. His coaching acumen and previous successes make him the favorite. The only thing making his case more compelling is the other high-profile players and managers the league has been luring lately – increasing his shine even more.
His possible replacement has generated just as much excitement. This announcement is in step with the emerging wave of European coaches seeking their fortunes in the Middle East. The Saudi Pro League has significantly increased its investment in football, aiming to enhance its status on the global stage. This lucrative move has created a highly competitive environment and many clubs have started looking for experienced managers such as Rodgers.
Rodgers’ leaving Celtic to take over at Leicester City was reported earlier this week as a mutual agreement, with the club and the manager parting ways. The parties, the statement noted, had mutually and amicably decided that it was time for a new chapter. At Celtic, Rodgers had unprecedented success. He won the Scottish Premiership three times and took the club to the Scottish Premiership group stages of the UEFA Champions League.
His possible role at Al Ahli would represent a fresh and glamorous challenge. The club has been underperforming in recent seasons and is in need of a strong leadership presence to guide its players and improve results. Of course, Rodgers has a wealth of experience running a two-minute drill as well. He has a chance to be the sparkplug that gets Al Ahli’s competitive fire ignited again.
The Saudi Pro League has recently gained attention for its ambitious plans, including attracting international talent and investing heavily in infrastructure. This development is part of a larger push by the kingdom to develop its sports industry as part of its Vision 2030 program.
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