Brendan Rodgers ‘close to returning’ to management with Al Qadsiah | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers is close to returning to management with Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah, The Athletic reports, with talks under way following his exit from Celtic just over a month ago.

Al Qadsiah, fifth in the Saudi Pro League, parted with Real Madrid legend Michel on Sunday, leaving a vacancy in their dugout.

Rodgers’ second spell at Celtic lasted just over two years and brought two Scottish titles. He left in October amid heavy criticism from majority shareholder Dermot Desmond.

Before that, he spent four years at Leicester City, lifting the FA Cup and finishing fifth twice. He also oversaw the beginning of a decline that led to the first of their recent Premier League relegations.

If he completes a move to Al Qadsiah, it would be the first role of his senior managerial career outside the UK. That career began with Watford nearly 18 years ago.

Should he take charge, Rodgers would inherit European names including former Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez, ex-Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Weigl and Italy striker Mateo Retegui.

Last season, in their first campaign after promotion, Al Qadsiah finished fourth and reached the King’s Cup final, losing 3-1 to Al Ittihad, with Karim Benzema scoring twice.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk