Ex-Liverpool boss nears transfer that reflects the realities of today’s football
The landscape surrounding former Liverpool managers continues to shift quietly, with one recognizable figure now approaching a major decision.
Brendan Rodgers is reportedly close to agreeing terms with Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah, according to David Ornstein, Mario Cortegana, and other reporters from The Athletic.
The 52-year-old Northern Irishman is traveling to Saudi Arabia as discussions progress to finalize the deal, following his resignation from Celtic in October. Rodgers is expected to replace Michel Gonzalez, who was dismissed on Sunday, as Al Qadsiah vowed to “act swiftly” in appointing a new head coach ahead of the January transfer window.
This move inevitably brings Rodgers’ time at Anfield back into the spotlight. The former Swansea City manager joined Liverpool in June 2012 and came agonizingly close to winning the Premier League in 2013-14, finishing just two points behind Manchester City. That narrow miss remains the defining moment of his 166-game tenure, despite never securing a major trophy with the club.
Since leaving Anfield in 2015, Rodgers’ career has seen highs and lows—remarkable domestic success at Celtic contrasted with a more uneven stint at Leicester City, where perceptions of him as a top-tier manager began to waver.
Saudi clubs appear drawn to his attacking philosophy, experience in England and Scotland, and trophy-laden record at Celtic. Yet recent moves to the region by Liverpool figures have yielded mixed results. Steven Gerrard’s exit from Al-Ettifaq for personal reasons highlighted how quickly projects can falter, while Jordan Henderson’s switch saw him sacrifice both his Liverpool legacy and ambassadorial status, with reports suggesting he may never even receive the promised wages.
Rodgers’ potential appointment seems less like a fresh start and more like a continuation of an existing pattern. Gerrard’s departure dented his managerial reputation, and Henderson’s experience emphasized the off-field risks of such moves. For Rodgers, success in Saudi Arabia could restore his reputation after challenging exits at Leicester and Celtic, while failure might cement the idea that the “Anfield version” of him belonged to a specific era.
With Al Qadsiah backed by Aramco, a move into a new stadium next season, and clear ambitions for a smooth transition, the club’s intentions are serious. Whether Rodgers still has the edge to deliver remains an open question.
For Liverpool fans, it serves as a stark reminder of how quickly careers—and legacies—can be redefined once managers leave Anfield.