Rodgers heading back to Celtic, Bournemouth sack manager

Brendan Rodgers
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Scottish Premier League football club Celtic have appointed Brendan Rodgers as manager on a three-year contract.

Rodgers, who was sacked by Leicester City last season, previously managed Celtic from 2016-2019, winning consecutive trebles – Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup.

“I am really delighted to return to Celtic and I am hugely excited by this great opportunity,” the 50-year-old told the club’s website.

“We have enjoyed some great times at Celtic before and this will be my goal again, to deliver good football, ensure we have a team we all love to watch and ultimately bring more success to our fans.”

Rodgers led Leicester to winning the FA Cup in 2020-21 for the first time in their history.

After finishing fifth in the Premier League on two occasions, Leicester struggled badly last season and parted ways with the Northern Irishman in April. They were eventually relegated to the second tier Championship.

Rodgers replaces Ange Postecoglou, who left the Scottish champions to take over as manager of Tottenham Hotspur.

Meanwhile English Premier League side Bournemouth have appointed Spaniard Andoni Iraola as head coach on a two-year contract, hours after sacking Gary O’Neil.

O’Neil helped Bournemouth secure their top-flight survival last season, steering them to a 15th-placed finish in the league after taking over from Scott Parker, but their form trailed off towards the end of the campaign.

Iraola joins Bournemouth after guiding Rayo Vallecano to an 11th-placed finish in LaLiga last season, following a successful three-year spell at the Spanish club.

Bournemouth owner Bill Foley, and American businessman who took over Bournemouth in December, said in an earlier statement that the change in manager would help the club better execute their strategy in the coming months.

-Reuters