Rafa Benitez: Why Leicester appointed Brendan Rodgers instead of Newcastle manager
RAFA BENITEZ was linked with the Leicester job earlier this season. And the Foxes’ reasoning for choosing Brendan Rodgers over the Newcastle boss has now been revealed.
Newcastle: Rafa Benitez denies new contract rumours
Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle side lock horns with Leicester at the King Power Stadium tonight, aiming to take another step towards Premier League safety.
The Magpies go into the game seven points clear of Cardiff, who are in the relegation zone scrapping for survival.
Leicester, meanwhile, are above Wolves in the race for the Europa League slots with Rodgers impressing in his role as manager so far.
The former Celtic boss was appointed as Claude Puel’s successor at the end of February, at a time where Benitez was also being linked amid uncertainy over his Newcastle future.
“The fans were very much pro-Rafa because of his great reputation and the fact Newcastle fans hold him in high regard, they felt he would be a great fit.
“However I do think this was massively fuelled by fan forums and social media.
“Rodgers had been a long term project for Leicester, they’d eyed him up for a while and little was going to prevent it from going through.”
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Tanner also lauded Rodgers for his impact at Leicester so far.
The 46-year-old’s reign started with a 2-1 defeat away at Watford but, since then, the Foxes have won their last four matches.
But, since then, Fulham, Burnley, Bournemouth and Huddersfield have been put to the sword.