Newcastle fear a move for Brendan Rodgers could be ‘politically disruptive’ at this stage of their ownership, according to reports. The Leicester boss is being eyed to replace Pep Guardiola, who is expected to depart Manchester City in 2023. But the Toon are admirers as well, though appear to have worries over a deal.
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Rodgers has enjoyed a terrific managerial career so far. He guided Swansea to the Championships and kept them there, too, before leaving for Liverpool in 2012.
Rodgers came close to winning the Premier League title two years later, only for City to beat his Reds team to the prize on the final day of the campaign.
When he left Liverpool in 2015, he proceeded to join Celtic - where he won every domestic treble during a two-and-a-half-year spell.
And he’s been at Leicester ever since 2019, guiding them to Community Shield and FA Cup triumphs over the past 12 months.
Now, however, the Daily Mail say City are eyeing him as a potential replacement for Guardiola.
Man City are eyeing Newcastle target Brendan Rodgers to replace Pep Guardiola (Image: GETTY)
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That means City would, for the first time, have to rock the boat in order to get Rodgers out of Leicester.
But what works in their favour is the 48-year-old’s own stance.
Rodgers is open to taking the City job in 2023 and, therefore, will turn Newcastle down if they come calling now they’re flush for cash.
Newcastle now appear to be operating similarly, though, in the sense they don't want to cause havoc by poaching Rodgers from a rival. Therefore, it's feasible they'll look elsewhere.
Guardiola suggested in August that he’d take on a new challenge when his contract expires in two years’ time.
He said: “Next step will be a national team, if there is a possibility. A national team is the next step.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola is likely to leave in 2023 (Image: GETTY)
“After seven years on this team, I think I’m going to have a stop.
“I’m going to have to take a break, see what we’ve done.
“And in the process, I would like to train a South American [team], European [national side], playing a Copa America – I want to have that experience.”
However, days later, he then appeared to back down.
“I didn’t say after two years I will finish my period in Manchester City,” he said.
“I can leave maybe in two months if the results are not good or if the organisation is tired of me or if I cannot handle better the players.
Man City have won three Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola (Image: GETTY)
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“I can leave in three months or I can leave in five years.
“What I said in my Zoom connection with the people in Brazil is after my period with Manchester City I will take a break, that is for sure.
“It can be in one month, in two years, in three years, in four years, in five years.
“Right now, I don’t have reasons to leave but I am thinking in two seasons I am going to leave Manchester City.
“When I am finished [here] I will take a rest a little bit after 12 or 13 years without a stop.”