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Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
Sport
JASON DASEY

How gaffer broke Celtic's heart with his move

Pop icon Rod Stewart was among the Celtic fans who was left outraged by Brendan Rodgers' opportunistic move to Thailand-owned Leicester City this week.

The former Liverpool boss won seven domestic trophies after becoming Celtic manager in May 2016. But he left the Scottish club less than three months before the end of the season, as they chase another silverware treble.

The 46-year-old Rodgers painted himself as a Celtic fan first. But the decision to turn his back on the Glasgow side for a return to the Premier League paints him as a career manager, putting cold ambition ahead of sentiment.

"It's like me giving up halfway through a [concert] tour. It's disappointing people," Stewart told talkSPORT.

"I think there might be a lot of ill-feeling at Celtic now, with the fans, with him leaving us in the lurch."

Rodgers watched from the King Power Stadium stands as Leicester beat Brighton 2-1 on Tuesday night in their first match after the sacking of Claude Puel.

Puel was shown the door after losing 4-1 at home to Crystal Palace last Saturday for their sixth defeat in their last seven matches. During the run, they were knocked out of the FA Cup by fourth-tier Newport, and dropped to 12th on the Premier League table, eight points above the relegation zone. Just three years ago, the Foxes were crowned Premier League champions under Italian Claudio Ranieri.

Rodgers' appointment, and the departure of Puel after less than a year-and-a-half in charge, is the latest twist in a dramatic four months for the club.

On Oct 27 last year, Leicester lost their Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in an horrific helicopter crash near King Power Stadium. Puel graciously paid tribute to the late billionaire who was owner and CEO of Bangkok-based King Power Group.

"It was my honour to work for the late and much-loved Khun Vichai, who gave me the fantastic opportunity to manage his club, and share some great moments with him," Puel said. "My mission at Leicester City Football Club ends here, but I will continue to follow the performances of the team."

Leicester City vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha responded with some gracious comments about the 57-year-old Frenchman, who won only 23 of 67 games in all competitions.

"Claude's faith and willingness to give opportunities to young talent during a time of transition for the club has helped us to develop an exciting young group of players that I'm sure will have a big role in the club's future," Aiyawatt wrote in the programme ahead of Tuesday's game against Brighton.

"He has also been a good man and a strong leader during some difficult times, showing dignity, compassion and an understanding of the family ethos we have at Leicester City, which will not be forgotten by anyone here."

Rodgers arrived at Leicester with his old employers, Celtic, receiving a reported £6 million in compensation.

The expectations for Rodgers at Leicester won't be as high as during his three-year stint at Anfield.

Finishing 10th with a struggling Leicester before overseeing a further improvement in 2019-20 would be a satisfactory outcome for Rodgers. He's the club's fourth manager in less than two years after Ranieri, Puel and Craig Shakespeare.

But Rodgers is unlikely to keep any friends among the Celtic Park faithful, despite his incredible record of success in less than three years in the Scottish Premiership.

As Rod Stewart once sang: "I don't want to talk about it… how you broke my heart."


Jason Dasey is CEO of Singapore-based Cockatoo Media and host of corporate events in Bangkok.

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