Brendan Rodgers has completed his sensational return to Celtic, with the club confirming he has signed a three-year contract.
The Northern Irishman described the opportunity to come back as a “privilege” and pledged to build on the work of his predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
The 50-year-old won seven trophies during his first spell in Glasgow from 2016, including back-to-back domestic Trebles, but angered many fans by moving to Leicester City midway through the 2018-19 season.
A banner held up across Hearts shortly after his departure read, “You have traded immortality for mediocrity. Never a Celt, always a crook.’
But following Postecoglou’s move to Tottenham, Parkhead powerbroker Dermot Desmond quickly identified the Northern Irishman as the ideal replacement.
Celtic have confirmed the return of Brendan Rodgers as manager on a three-year deal
Fans expressed their feelings to Rodgers when he left Celtic for Leicester in 2019
“I’m really happy to be back at Celtic and I’m extremely excited about this great opportunity,” said Rodgers.
“When I was given the privilege of rejoining the club, it was a very simple decision for me and my family.
“We’ve already had some great times at Celtic and this will again be my aim: to deliver good football, make sure we have a team we all enjoy watching and ultimately bring more success to our fans.
“Ange has done a fantastic job over the last two years and I will do everything I can to keep Celtic’s momentum going as we tackle all of our domestic and European challenges.
“We have a hugely impressive and talented group of players and staff at the club, and I’m really looking forward to meeting them all and then getting started right away.
“The club is in fantastic shape at all levels and I would like to thank the board for trusting me to take the team forward. We will work closely together to bring that success to our supporters. Let’s get started!’
A club statement confirmed that Rodgers will inherit the existing backroom staff, despite Postecoglou’s interest in bringing some of them to Tottenham.
Celtic Football Club are pleased to announce that Brendan Rodgers has been appointed as the club’s new Football Manager on a three-year contract.
Ange Postecoglou left for Tottenham just after leading Celtic to another domestic Treble
Rodgers photographed at Celtic Park after his first appointment as manager of the club in 2016
Brendan has previously led the club to phenomenal success, winning back-to-back domestic Trebles and also delivering Invincible’s most famous season.
“In recent years, Brendan has led Leicester City to victory in the FA Cup for the first time in their history and also fifth in the English Premier League on two occasions.
Brendan has also held managerial roles at Liverpool, Swansea City, Watford and Reading.
Rodgers achieved considerable domestic success during his first Celtic tenure
“We are also pleased to confirm that John Kennedy, who has served the club for many years as a player and as a coach, will support Brendan as the club’s assistant manager, alongside first-team coaches Stevie Woods, Gavin Strachan and Harry Kewell. and B Team coaches Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea.’
Celtic’s Chief Executive, Michael Nicholson, added: ‘We are delighted to welcome Brendan as our new manager. He is a football manager of real quality and experience, with an established track record of delivering success.’
Dermot Desmond, Celtic’s main shareholder, added: “Our aim at Celtic will always be to bring the highest caliber individuals to the club to achieve our objectives, and with the appointment of Brendan we believe we have that quality brought back to the club.
Brendan is a very talented manager, he has huge experience at the highest level and is a man who knows how to win and does it in style. As we enter another exciting period for the club, I am sure he will tackle the opportunities ahead with his characteristic focus, drive and determination.
“We’ve all had a lot of success over the years, and Brendan himself has been a big part of that. I know Brendan is determined to deliver again for our supporters and collectively the board, management, players and staff will support him in this.”
Rodgers with captain Scott Brown after Celtic completed the domestic Treble in 2016–17
As Mail Sport first revealed after Postecoglou’s departure, Nicholson and CFO Chris McKay flew to Mallorca by private jet to meet Rodgers at his holiday home.
After positive initial discussions, Rodgers then met Desmond in London where both sides agreed on a plan to re-establish Celtic as a European force.
Rodgers’ personal terms were cleared over the weekend and a deal was finally struck.
He is said to have agreed a package in excess of his previous Celtic contract, making him once again the highest paid manager in the club’s history.
Rodgers was sacked by Leicester in April but finished fifth twice and won the FA Cup in his time there.