Celtic re-appoint Brendan Rodgers as manager on three-year deal
The Northern Irishman has agreed to become the club's new boss
Last updated 19th Jun 2023
Celtic have officially re-appointed Brendan Rodgers as their new manager on a three-year deal.
The Northern Irishman controversially swapped Glasgow for Leicester City in 2019 after winning seven straight domestic trophies – including a double treble.
He was the club’s number one choice to replace Ange Postecoglou, who left for Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month.
Chief executive Michael Nicholson and finance director Chris McKay flew out to Mallorca to hold talks with the former Liverpool boss last weekend.
Rodgers’ deal will make him the highest-paid manager in Celtic's history, just as it did when he was first appointed in 2016.
Return of Rodgers
The 50 year-old led the Parkhead outfit to seven trophies out of a possible seven in his first spell in charge.
In his debut campaign he secured an undefeated treble – with the Hoops domestic unbeaten run last 69 matches.
The 2017-18 season saw the club complete their second treble in a row, whilst he also guided the side to the League Cup in his third year in charge.
The only area of disappointment during his tenure was Celtic’s struggles in Europe - a similar fate all managers have suffered over the past decade.
However, it is understood Rodgers will be backed by the club’s hierarchy in the transfer market to help him compete in the Champions League, along with continuing domestic dominance.
Rodgers faced heavy backlash for the way he left the club after quitting mid-season to take over at Leicester City.
Some fans unfurled banners criticising him for a lack of loyalty.
Compatriot Neil Lennon replaced Rodgers and continued the club’s success, securing the treble treble.
However, under Lennon they faltered a year later and missed out on a possible tenth title in a row.
Leicester Legend
In England Rodgers guided Leicester them to consecutive fifth placed finishes, missing out on the Champions League on the final day of the season both times.
His side did go deep into European football though, including a Europa Conference League semi-final.
Rodgers then led the Foxes to the FA Cup in 2021 - beating Chelsea in the final - for the first time in their history.
Following a poor run of results last campaign, he was sacked in April with the team in the relegation zone.
Leicester were relegated to the Championship last month.
The Scottish Premiership season begins on August 5.
Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.
Founded in 1888, Willie Maley was Celtic's first manager and one of the most successful managers in Scottish football history. He managed the club from 1897 to 1940, winning thirty major trophies (16 league championships and 14 Scottish Cups).
Jimmy McStay (circled) managed Celtic between 1940 and 1945. However, this clashed with the suspension of the League and Scottish Cup during wartime, meaning he never had the opportunity to manage the club in official competitions.
All-time leading goalscorer in top-flight British football Jimmy McGrory managed Celtic from 1945 to 1965. He won one First Division trophy, two Scottish League Cups, two Scottish Cups, four Glasgow Cups, one Coronation Cup, one Saint Mungo Cup and four Glasgow Charity Cups.
Jock Stein managed Celtic from 1965 to 1978 and guided Celtic to nine successive Scottish League championships between 1966 and 1974. He also won one European Cup, eight Scottish Cups, six Scottish League Cups, five Glasgow Cups and one Drybrough Cup.
Billy McNeil managed Celtic from 1978 to 1983. McNeil won three Scottish League titles, one Scottish Cup, one Scottish League Cup and one Glasgow Cup.
McNeil returned from 1987 to 1991 where he won one Scottish League title and two Scottish Cups.
David Hay managed Celtic from 1983 to 1987 and won one Scottish League title and one Scottish Cup.
Liam Brady managed Celtic from 1991 to 1993 but failed to win any trophies.
Lou Macari managed Celtic from 1993 to 1994 but he failed to win any trophies.
Tommy Burns managed Celtic from 1994 to 1997 and he won one Scottish Cup.
Wim Jansen managed Celtic from 1997 to 1998 and won One Scottish Premier Division Title and One Scottish League Cup.
Jozef Venglos managed Celtic from 1998 to 1999 but did not win any trophies
John Barnes managed Celtic from 1999 to 2000 but did not win any trophies.
Kenny Dalglish managed Celtic in 2000 and won one Scottish League Cup
Martin O'Neil managed Celtic from 2000 to 20005 and won three Scottish Premier Leagues, three Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup.
Gordon Strachan managed Celtic from 2005 to 2009 and won three consecutive Scottish Premier League Titles, one Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cups.
Tony Mowbray managed Celtic from 2009 to 2010 but failed to win any trophies.
Neil Lennon managed Celtic from 2010 to 2014 and he won three Scottish Premier League titles and two Scottish Cups.
Lennon returned from 2019 to 2021, where he won two more League titles, two Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup.
Ronny Delia managed from 2014 to 2016 where he won two Scottish Premierships and one Scottish League Cup.
Brendan Rodgers managed Celtic from 2016 to 2019 where he won two Scottish Premierships, two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups.
Ange Postecoglou took over as Celtic manager in 2021 and has won a Scottish League Cup.