Leicester set to announce Brendan Rodgers as their new manager

Only days after it was announced that Claude Puel had been sacked by Leicester, it appears that the Foxes have already found their replacement.

It has been reported by multiple outlets that Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is inching closer to finalizing a deal and an official announcement is expected to be made within the week.

After the defending Scottish champions gave Rodgers permission to discuss a potential move back to the Premier League, Sky Sports understands that the Northern Irishman is currently in Leicester finalizing the deal.

Brendan Rodgers is set to become @LCFC's new manager after he was given permission by @CelticFC to speak to the club, according to Sky sources.

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 26, 2019

 

Rodgers on route to Leicester

Slumping to a 4-1 loss to home to Crystal Palace and freefalling out the top half of the table, the writing was always on the wall for Puel at the King Power Stadium.

Now chasing down an eight-point buffer if they want to match their pre-season target of a European finish, the Leicester hierarchy believes that Rodgers is the man to reignite their season.

Coming within touching distance of securing Liverpool a first Premier League title back in 2014, Rodgers has led Celtic to consecutive treble winning seasons and had remained on course to win his third.

With two years still remaining on his deal at Celtic Park, his early departure is likely to cost Leicester City around £6 million in compensation fees.

If the deal is to be completed before the weekend, Rodgers’ Leicester debut will come up against another of his former sides in Watford.

It also appears that the former Liverpool boss will be bringing a few familiar faces back to down South with him.

Chris Davies and Kolo Toure, who are currently part of Rodgers’ staff at Celtic Park, are expected to join him in Leicester, if a deal is agreed.

With Rodgers in pole position to secure the vacancy since Puel’s departure on Sunday morning, Celtic released a short statement confirming that they have allowed Rodgers permission to discuss the switch.

“Celtic today confirmed that it has been approached by Leicester to speak to Brendan Rodgers with regards to their current managerial vacancy.

Brendan has indicated to the club that this is an opportunity he wishes to investigate further and therefore, very reluctantly, the club has granted him permission to speak to Leicester.”

While Leicester are in need of a new first team boss, Celtic now find themselves in an almost identical situation to their Premier League counterparts.

In need of someone to fill Rodgers’ void in Glasgow, Sky Sports believe that the recently sacked Hibbs boss Neil Lennon could take charge on an interim basis.

Lennon was in charge at Celtic Park between 2010 and 2014, and Sky sources understand he has canceled a planned trip to Qatar – where he was due to work as a pundit.

The 47-year-old won the Scottish title three times during his time in charge at Celtic and will likely come up against his hold side Hibernian on first managerial return.

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