Brendan Abroad lands in Saudi Arabia after Celtic disaster scares off Premier League clubs | OneFootball

Brendan Abroad is happening, as former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is reportedly set to become the new head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah.

According to The Athletic, Rodgers is travelling to the Middle East to replace Michel Gonzalez, who was sacked on Sunday with Al Qadsiah fifth in the Saudi top flight.

Brendan Rodgers at Celtic

Rodgers resigned as Celtic manager in October after a 3-1 defeat at Hearts left the Bhoys eight points behind the first-placed Jam Tarts.

In the wake of his exit, Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond tore Rodgers a new one.

Rodgers resigned as Celtic manager in October after a 3-1 defeat at Hearts left the Bhoys eight points behind the first-placed Jam Tarts.

In the wake of his exit, Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond tore Rodgers a new one.

It was an astonishing statement as Desmond exposed Rodgers’ “self-serving” lies.

Desmond’s statement might have put off Premier League clubs from employing the former Liverpool and Leicester City boss, who has a wealth of experience managing in England.

Premier League bottom-club Wolves recently appointed Rob Edwards as Vitor Pereira’s replacement, while West Ham were linked with Rodgers with Nuno Espirito Santo under pressure.

A move abroad therefore felt like the most likely scenario for Rodgers, and he is reportedly set to join Al Qadsiah on what is sure to be a lucrative contract. Just think of all the Gucci belts he can afford.

Brendan Rodgers ‘close’ to accepting new job

A report from The Athletic says the Saudi Arabian side are ‘close to reaching an agreement’ with Rodgers, who is on his way to the Middle East.

Several managers have met with the club’s CEO and sporting director, but Rodgers has emerged as their top candidate.

Why? Because of his ‘experience of managing Swansea City, Leicester City and Liverpool, his record of winning trophies in two spells at Celtic, as well as his style of play and philosophy’.

PL clubs right to snub Rodgers…but he’ll be back

A move abroad felt natural for Rodgers, and it’s no massive shock that he is landing in Saudi Arabia.

He has somehow managed to taint his Celtic legacy twice. The first time he left was for Leicester, which was widely viewed as a betrayal. The second departure was extremely acrimonious. We don’t expect there will be a third stint.

Even at Leicester, where he is a legend for winning the FA Cup in 2021, he failed to qualify for the Champions League two years in a row. Club owners would have been reluctant to call Brendan even before Desmond’s astonishing statement.

Still, the 52-year-old is not finished at the top level, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see him back managing in England within the next three years… if Brendan Abroad: Season One doesn’t flop.