Brendan Rodgers is travelling to Saudi Arabia where he will become the new manager of Al Qadsiah on a mega-money deal.
The Northern Irishman is the latest highly reputable managerial name to head to the Saudi Pro League to quash speculation of a Premier League return.
Rodgers has been out of work after his surprise resignation at Celtic in October.
Reports had linked him with a return to England’s top flight, with Leeds United one of the clubs identifying his availability when Daniel Farke was close to the sack.
Brendan Rodgers to manage in Saudi Arabia
Al Qadsiah have wasted no time in approaching Rodgers after they sacked Spanish manager Michel Gonzalez on Sunday.
They currently sit fifth on 17th points after nine matches. Last season, they ended the season in fourth.
It’s reported that Al Qadsiah spoke to numerous targets across Europe, suggesting that Gonzalez’s sacking had been in the pipeline for several weeks.
Rodgers’ experience managing top clubs and winning trophies ultimately made him the top candidate.
The 52-year-old began his managerial career with Watford and stood in the dugout at Reading, Swansea, Liverpool, Leicester and Celtic on two occasions.
He’s won four league titles in Scotland, the FA Cup with Leicester, and achieved promotion to the Premier League with Swansea.
Why Mo Salah could join Brendan Rodgers
Mo Salah’s substitute appearance for Liverpool in the victory over Brighton at the weekend may have calmed talk about his Reds fallout for now.
The Egyptian has now headed to AFCON, but his future at Liverpool beyond January remains in doubt following his explosive interview.
A move to Saudi Arabia remains Salah’s most likely destination, as they are the only clubs that could afford his pay packet.
It could provide Rodgers with the opportunity to try and sign Salah, 11 years after missing out on him during his time as Liverpool manager.
Liverpool held extensive talks with Salah in the January 2015 transfer window, before Chelsea gazumped their bid in the late stages of negotiations.
Salah eventually left Basel for Jose Mourinho’s side and the rest is history.
At the time, Rodgers said: “The club did everything they felt they possibly could to get a deal but it wasn’t to be.”
It’s the construction of the whole deal, not only with the player and the agent but also Basel as a football club. It was deemed in this case that we couldn’t do a deal and Chelsea could. So the boy has gone there.”
