Pundit Paul Merson has backed former Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with a sensational move to Chelsea. The Stamford Bridge club are looking for a new manager after Graham Potter’s unhappy reign was brought to an end after the weekend’s home defeat by Aston Villa. Similarly, Rodgers was dismissed after a defeat on Saturday but there is already speculation about his next move.
Arsenal legend and Sky Sports pundit Merson believes that he ticks all the boxes for the Chelsea job, stating that Rodgers has experience at big clubs – Celtic and Liverpool – and can cope with this move.
Paul Merson believes Brendan Rodgers is the ideal replacement for Graham Potter at Chelsea 🔵
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 5, 2023
Rodgers has worked in the Chelsea Academy having been hired by Jose Mourinho in 2004 following a recommendation from now-Scotland manager Steve Clarke. Rodgers would go from Head Youth coach to Reserve Team manager under Mourinho, Grant and Scolari before moving on to Watford as a manager in his own right.
Unfortunately for Rodgers, Chelsea’s owner Todd Boehly is under pressure to make a statement appointment in the summer to match the financial investment in talent across the squad. Former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is one of the favourites but it is believed that there will be no permanent announcements until the summer.
It has been reported that Frank Lampard, a former Chelsea manager, is close to being confirmed as caretaker manager until the end of the season. The legendary midfielder, the best of his generation in England, is set to be announced.
🚨 Frank Lampard, set to become new Chelsea caretaker manager — there’s an agreement in principle valid until the end of the current season. Here we go. 🔵🤝🏻
Lampard has accepted short-term deal.#CFC will continue process/talks to hire new head coach for long term project. pic.twitter.com/KOWtnmu3d1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 5, 2023
Rodgers, meanwhile, has spoken out about his departure from Leicester. The Irishman did the usual speil about thanking everyone but that he believed he would have kept them up. Rodgers has a decent record with Leicester to use for any future interviews along with his sensational two-and-a-half years in Glasgow. The Celtic fan growing up presided over an Invincible Treble in his first season, a 69-game unbeaten run as he won seven out of the seven trophies available to him. The departure left a bitter taste in the mouths of everyone involved but his time at Celtic should be fondly remembered, especially as we are enjoying a fine spell with Ange as our leader.
Elsewhere, another former Celtic manager could replace Rodgers at Leicester on an interim basis. Martin O’Neill is reportedly being considered for a return to his former club as they look to beat the drop.
