Brendan Rodgers set for return to management in Saudi Pro League
Brendan Rodgers is poised to return to management in the Saudi Pro League, with reports indicating he is close to being appointed head coach of Al Qadsiah following his abrupt departure from Celtic earlier this autumn, reports BritPanorama.
The 52-year-old has been free to open negotiations since leaving Glasgow in October, an exit that unfolded publicly and acrimoniously. He departed Celtic after criticising the club’s transfer strategy and questioning the level of ambition shown by the hierarchy, remarks that prompted a fierce response from principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, who accused him of being “divisive, misleading and self-serving.” The fallout brought a turbulent second spell at Parkhead to an unceremonious end.
Rodgers now appears set for a swift return to the technical area, with The Athletic reporting that he is already en route to the Middle East as final terms are agreed. Al Qadsiah moved quickly after dismissing head coach Michel Gonzalez on Sunday, promising supporters that a replacement would be secured without delay, and have wasted little time in identifying Rodgers as their preferred candidate. The appointment process has been led by James Bisgrove, the club’s chief executive and former Rangers CEO, alongside sporting director Carlos Anton.
Al Qadsiah are believed to have interviewed a range of candidates from across Europe before settling on Rodgers, whose pedigree and experience were viewed as a decisive advantage as the club seeks to accelerate its rise. Currently fifth in the Saudi Pro League, Al Qadsiah trail only Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Taawoun and Al Ahli and have exceeded expectations following promotion to the top flight last season.
Owned by energy giant Aramco, the club has ambitions that extend well beyond consolidation and is targeting domestic silverware in the near term. Rodgers’ record weighed heavily in their thinking; he won multiple league titles and domestic cups during his two stints at Celtic and also helped Leicester win the FA Cup in 2021. Earlier in his career, he came agonisingly close to lifting the league with Liverpool in 2013–14, a season that cemented his reputation as one of the most progressive British coaches of his generation.
Al Qadsiah’s project is already well-resourced. The squad includes Italy international striker Mateo Retegui, former Porto midfielder Otávio and Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels, while plans are in place for the club to move into a new stadium next season. Their recent progress has seen them leapfrog established Saudi sides such as Al Ittihad and Al Ettifaq, underlining both their momentum and intent.
For Rodgers, the move would mark his first venture into Middle Eastern football and another chapter in a career defined by reinvention. His departure from Celtic was bruising, but the opportunity to lead an ambitious, well-backed club in a rapidly expanding league offers a chance to reset away from the glare of British football. Saudi Arabia’s continued recruitment of high-profile managers has mirrored its pursuit of elite playing talent, and Rodgers’ imminent arrival would further reinforce the league’s growing credibility. How he fares in his new venture remains to be seen.
