Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that it was "very important" John Kennedy stayed as part of his backroom team amid talk of him reuniting with Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham. Despite the Australian tending to travel on his own rather than bringing coaching staff with him in the past, there was plenty of speculation that the new Spurs boss would break with tradition and look to entice Kennedy and Gavin Strachan from Celtic Park.
That has not proved to be the case, however, with the pair remaining in the east end of Glasgow following Rodgers' return to the club he departed back in 2019. Tottenham have yet to confirm Postecoglou's coaching team in full but football.london broke the news that Ryan Mason is set to become part of his staff following a conversation between the pair.
It is also understood that Chris Davies, who has worked with Rodgers at Swansea City, Liverpool, Celtic and Leicester, will link up with Postecoglou in north London. Amid plenty of speculation about Kennedy joining forces with the ex-Australia boss once again, Rodgers, speaking in his first press conference since his return to the Scottish champions, has revealed that Kennedy's future was something he had spoken to chief executive Michael Nicholson about when they first met and that he had also spoken with the talented coach himself.
"It was very important, I had spoken to Michael [Nicholson] on that when we met," explained the 50-year-old when asked how crucial it was that he kept Kennedy by his side. "I think over my career I've always come into clubs and some I've come in on my own and some I've come in with staff, but I've always felt that coming back here, it was going to be really important for John [Kennedy] to be here.
"He knows how I work. He knows the rhythm of my days and how I can work. He's steeped in Celtic. He's an incredible worker, he's a great football man, he has the respect of the players, he has respect for all the staff. For me, to be able to have him here was important.
"When I spoke to John and looked to convince him to stay, I was really pleased and happy that he wanted to. He's a great guy, great football man and we worked really well together the last time I was here and hopefully it can be the same this time."
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Taking on quite the challenge after Postecoglou had guided Celtic to five trophies from a possible six playing an attractive brand of football, Rodgers has revealed that he has exchanged messages with the new Tottenham boss but not spoken to him about the group he is inheriting at Celtic Park.
"No, I've exchanged messages with him and I've spoken in depth to John Kennedy, who has obviously been a pivotal person here at the club and he'll be my assistant whilst I'm here," explained Rodgers. "I've spoken at length and I've obviously watched Celtic as well.
"The football philosophy is not too different in terms of how we would work and how a Celtic manager is perceived to work with his team. It's an attacking club, we have to win but win stylistically in a certain way and Ange has obviously done that and hopefully my period before we were able to do that. It's a continuation of that and looking to build on that."
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