Communication Masterclass from Brendan Rodgers – Reaction and Everything Said

Q: So even after everything has happened, you said you feel empty at the end of the window, you would still be open to staying under the right circumstances?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, 100%. As long as everything’s aligned and we can operate how we want to. Absolutely. That’s why I came back. I came back to hopefully stay for more than three years. What I would guarantee is that I would do three years. So I want to do three years and I’m more determined this year to do it. Going forward, if I do get offered a deal, then of course there needs to be conditions within that that you want to the best that we possibly can.

If not, then it’s maybe just the two philosophies that don’t quite add up. And I also accept that, but I’ll go away, I’ll be a Celtic supporter for the rest of my life, and we’ll go our separate ways. My hope was to come back here, take the club forward, we’ve seen progress, we’ve seen Europe, we’ve seen everything, can we sustain that? It hasn’t quite happened for us in the Champions League. I’m hopeful in the future something can be resolve.”

Q: Brendan, one of the things that was in the statement, one of the explanations was about UEFA financial rules, given the money Celtic have made, could you understand why people would struggle to get their heads round that?

Brendan Rodgers: “As I said, they’re not my questions to answer. It’s the statement that was given. If the chief executive or the chairman were here, then I’m sure they would speak. They’re not my questions to answer. But I understand why when you have that level of resource, you would ask the question.”

Q: Did you yourself get any sort of explanation, Brendan, from the board about why certain things didn’t happen because obviously the public explanation was one the fans weren’t happy with. Did you have any other sort of explanation from them?

Brendan Rodgers: “No, it was the same.”

Q: How does it feel to see stories from someone at the club talking about you engineering your exit?

Brendan Rodgers: “It was interesting when I was shown that. My honest take, I thought it was a cowardly action by whoever it is. It’s not something that you would want, and certainly my relationships with the guys that I’m close with here with the board, I’m struggling to understand the why. Since 2016, all I’ve tried to do is drive the club forward.

“Was I surprised by it? Not really. I think I was briefed upon the first time I was here, when I left. Now, since I’ve come back. I’m thick-skinned. It’s because I want to do so well here. I’m determined to do so well. But I know Dermot, Michael, the guys that I work with on a day-to-day basis, or certainly communicate with them on a day-to-day basis.  They feel the same as I. I think if you speak to my staff here, speak to players, they know all I ever do is give everything for them. I respect them. Most of them have got new contracts during their time here. Staff have got new deals and you know, increase their wages and so all the conditions for them. And okay, my drive is to make Celtic the best it can be. But not unrealistic, not Premier League money. Not you know, millions and millions and millions.

“So yeah, it’s disappointing. Like I said, it’s a cowardly act. It just makes me more determined to succeed.”

Q: Do you know where it came from?

Brendan Rodgers: “No.”

Q: A few weeks ago you were referring to some people not wanting you at Celtic, was that what you were referring to?

Brendan Rodgers: “No.”

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