Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Heart of Midlothian v Celtic - Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain - May 7, 2023 Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates after winning the Scottish Premiership REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
The Manner Of Ange’s Departure Is What Will Allow Rodgers To Return To Celtic.
One of the great surprises in covering this story over the past week has been seeing the shifting opinion within the Celtic support towards the idea of Brendan Rodgers’ return. The hostility many in the press assumed, and were hoping for, has not largely been present.
There are two reasons why this is the case, and the first of them is simply that Rodgers departure was not entirely a surprise, nor entirely his fault. I had expected him to go at the end of that season; it was just a matter of timing. Things at Celtic had soured for him, and for us, by then and the writing was on the wall in letters 100 feet high.
Regular readers will know that I saw that breakdown first-hand in a meeting with Lawwell the day after the European Champions League game against AEK Athens at Celtic Park. I knew then, talking to the CEO, that something irrevocable had happened behind the scenes and that it would not be fixed. As I came out of that meeting with Auldheid of the Resolution 12 team, we heard the news that John McGinn had signed for Aston Villa.
He had been Rodgers’ number one target, a key part of his “succession planning” with Brown starting to age. When we finally signed a player for the midfield that summer it was an ex-Killie player who had been available on a free for months. It was not hard to imagine the disgust Rodgers must have felt at the way that summer played itself out.
The second thing that made Rodgers return possible was the departure of Ange Postecoglou and the lingering question of who he really was.
Because he seemed the complete opposite of Rodgers in every way, and yet we know now that he had resisted signing a new contract because that would have made it more expensive for an EPL club to get him and he did not want a potential exit route being closed off like that. His agent had been trying to get Spurs to look properly at him for weeks if not months. We don’t even know if, had push came to shove, he’d have given us the full season if they had wanted to bring him in sooner.
There is not as much anger as there was directed at Rodgers when he left. Hell, there would have been very little anger directed at him had he actually left at the end of the campaign, as Ange Postecoglou did. Instead of anger, what Celtic fans feel about Postecoglou is a kind of shock laced with genuine disappointment. He is not the man we thought he was.
This has hardened hearts somewhat, and not before time. I have never believed that a Celtic boss necessarily needs to “get us” as a club, and nor do I believe that personality cults are good for us as they get in the way of the sort of honest, cold blooded assessment that was too long coming in the case of Lennon and which blinded a lot of us to the possibility that Ange might up and go at the first sign of an EPL club showing interest.
The deep cynicism which has fallen over our support in the last fortnight has made anything possible. When I first heard the rumours about Rodgers and my mates and I had the initial discussion about what would happen if the Spurs interest in Ange was real, we all concluded the same thing; if we’re going to be treated this way every manager we get then our next appointment was made easier in some ways because it would be a purely transactional relationship.
The attitude towards managers, we thought, would be the one we have with the players. “We bring you in, we pay you well, you win us trophies, you go and we hire the next guy without no regrets and best wishes for the job you did.”
And in those circumstances, the only issue that matters is “can this guy do us a job?” and with Rodgers the answer to that is an emphatic yes. We know it because when he was last here he won every domestic trophy he competed for. He is an outstanding manager, which means that when you strip emotion out of it he’s also the outstanding candidate.
We know he’ll leave us after a couple of seasons. We accept that as part of the bargain. Just so long as the wheel keeps turning in the sense that we keep on winning. The next two titles are crucial for the Champions League changes and the vast monies from them … but so too is the satisfaction we will all gain from annihilating the Survival Lie by rendering it redundant, and we’re so close to that we can taste it. Rodgers will get us over that line.
Had Ange Postecoglou stayed for another year, or had he just been straight with us in the run up to the final and accepted that he would be moving on – we are not children, we could have dealt with that if it had been explained to us just so – Brendan Rodgers’ return would have been almost inconceivable. Now it seems almost inevitable.
Ange Exit v Rodgers Exit.
Ange timing was better BUT
Rodgers was not backed while Ange was so in many ways Ange leaving was just as bad.
Sad both left. I would take Rodgers back for sure and if the Board back him we may make an impact in Europe which is now got to be our ambition.
Ange finished the season, Rodgers walked in a week when had 2 tough trips to Edinburgh, they don’t compare. Ange didn’t pretend to be a lifelong fan, Rodgers did!
Fans are fickle and the majority will welcome Rodgers back, because he will deliver success on the park.
If it’s a choice between Rodgers and a rookie, then there really isn’t a choice. I won’t cheer him, I won’t sing his name, but I’ll rejoice when OUR CLUB keeps winning.
BR, claimed fan status.
Ange, he claimed having King Kenny poster on his wall.
Ange similar age to me.
KD was my hero back then.
Difference is I’m still here.
Thank you! I’ve been trying to put into words exactly what I think about him returning – with your last sentence, you’ve hit the nail on the head for me!!!
Geez a break with ” Ange” but say ” Rodgers”! He was a lucky man to be at our club Rodgers earned it!! Didnt end well but” Ange” the lucky man would been off in seconds and unlike ” Rodgers” he had no options that man showed us nothing and spouting bs!! God even huns call him ” Ange ” now on their threads! Brendan come home and he 10 times the manager the ” Aussie” is or ever will be! I see him in Melbourne for the Christmas! Barbie !As he be sacked! Sick this garbage on the Aussie and the pass he seems to be getting!! Tho we are the winners if Brendan comes and big time!
Well, now that the support has noticeably warmed to the idea of a BR return,
all we need now is for the Board to c0ck it up!
Joking (?) aside, if/when he turns up at Paradise, I’ll make a prediction.
Unlike those who thought our previous manager would be gone by Christmas,
I’ll predict that the non-exec Chairman will be gone by Christmas!
BR could win over his remaining doubters if that came to pass…? 🙂
I genuinely thought that Posta the cuckoo was made for Celtic after reading all the guff of his landing in Australia in a similar way as the Irish finished up in America. He understood
what immigrants had to suffer, the parents working 24 hours a day and all that rubbish. I would venture to say that they were, instead, £10 Greeks who were no different than those from the UK who took advantage of the daily newspaper adverts begging them to go to
Oz. In my day the fee was £15 and most people I knew were already in decent jobs and went more for the climate and a bit of adventure. Certainly not n the same league as those
who fled famine and persecution in Ireland. The penny dropped with me when I heard a repeat of the script substituting Tottenham for Celtic. “Wonderful institution, know the history of this great club and wonderful fans”, blah, blah and blah. Good riddance to a very
lucky man. Beale was right after all.
.
Jesus, this is a presumptuous load of bollocks. Wipe your tears and have a nap. Beale hasn’t been correct about anything, ever.
Never bought in that in a million years as I lived in Australia since 2008 on and off so I knew he be off asap first offer he was! They are ” epl mhate” sychophants but worse they seek valadation and relevance big time from England and America and weirdos love the monorchy I told many on here months ago all this and had guys saying he ” greek’ no no and no my ex father is Spanish born he left ubeda at 10 but still a big Aussie and his siblings that were younger more Aussie! See they got teased in school like no doubt ” the Greek “did about their parents and how they couldn’t speak English! Her father did like the idea of being a patriotic Spaniard but he played at it! You need to have lived there in the suburbs with the real Australians to know. I hate when we gave him the job because if this, tho I warned to him , I knew him be off in a shot!! As he knows Aussies see his success as theirs weirdly but I am happy big time if it means Brendan is coming back love it!! He chose Celtic first time when he could managed anywhere in England and is still sought after! The Aussie was lucky to get Celtic job big time yes he done well but he was off first chance people need to remember this plus he had way more atomony with that board with lawell gone for 18 months! Brendan way better manager and has provan it to! Great deal for us Great deal!
Your right never same as the Irish migration that stayed in good detention homes before getting decent housing and jobs my ex father family migrated from ubeda Spain to Sydney in late 60s so I knew he was full of it, and in a way beake was right sadly. But I am over the moon if it mean Brendan is back ! Way better manager, younger and provan!
Fair point Bob, however, I do think that the deal breaker is not PL’s exit but PL remaining “non exec”.
He’s our chairman, that’s the situation. The thing we also have to remember is PL has position in the European top table and has been part of the creation of circumstances that mean Sevco cannot overspend.
Maybe it’s not enough for some, but it was probably the best of a bad lot.
Overall we are in a good place and I have confidence we will remain strong.
Just wish that The dandy Don’s, Hibies and the Tarts at least try to challenge Sevco.
End of rant.
Great read James. Everyone warming to it. As fans we want success we want continuity. BR gives us that.
The average a player or manager will stay is now a couple of years. Certainly at Celtic, as far as managers are concerned this is the current reality, after success they’ll be off and after failure they’ll be off. Recruitment and succession planning shouldn’t be unduly hindered by a whole load of backroom staff departing.
Why are fans still surprised by lack of loyalty in this day and age? I can imagine children believing this stuff, but adults? There is no loyalty in football except from the fans to the club. That’s it. Players that look like they won’t make it are disgarded. The offer of higher wages induces most players to think again about their current club and contract. Easy money from tv companies means clubs routinely put supporters interests at the very bottom of the list.
I have no problem with Rodgers or Ange moving on. A little upset that Rodgers did it mid season but there were deffinitely mitigating circumstances – he was working for an overrated ar***ole.
despite 2 lawwell’s in the house…i hope nicholson and desmond get this signing over the line..
i would have preferred knutsen ….but do think BR can do the job a…i’d give ian paisley junior the post if i thought he could do the job…!!!
all i’m interested in is celtic winning – in style…
postecoglou spoke with a forked tongue…and all that heart thumping shit….
never again do i want to hear of managers or players “getting us…” they don’t…the only thing the “get” is the big bank accounts…
welcome back BR….now get the team fukd into the huns and shut them up and do something in europe !!
HH
So many folk trying to make sense of Ange and Brendan. It’s a business, a job to them where our neighbours in one good contract can have them set for life, why would you not move.
If we get 2 trophy laden seasons out of Brendan then fantastic thats how I see it and if Broonie comes in as successor even better. I have made that prediction for a while now and I will welcome Brendan back in a heart beat. As long as he brings success, attacking football, couple of class players and make the others bettter assets to the club, makes us cash and batters the huns. Happy days.
Never the same as Irish migration I meant as they stayed in good detention centres on arrival and got housing quick and employment. My ex family migrated in late 60s from ubeda Spain to Auburn a Sydney suburb where many Spanish were so it was like a hone from home Greeks an Italians settled there also. And this also happened in Melbourne even more so and Adelaide here I been lately
Here we go to Terry Munroe….. Brendan Rodgers, Jammy Dodgers… HH
I knew that anyway I meant
Rodger$ isn’t here yet.
Bookmark this … he will sh#t on us from a great height.
Remember the story of the frog and the scorpion?
Fans are as fickle as anything man, bordering on hypocritical. “You traded immortality for mediocrity” now we are just mentioning how great a manager he is lol. Listen I’m happy Brendan is hopefully coming back, as I know he will bring success next season. I also know that if he does well, he will be in the shop window again, and I’m fine with that . I don’t care if we have Mr bean as the manager, as long as he brings in sustained success and title after title.
Good article James, The shelf life of a successful manager in Scotland these days is 2-3 years. As passionate supporters of a club with the rich history of Celtic it has taken most of us a long time to come to terms with this fact. Maybe AP and BR have done us all a favour in making us face the fact that success at a club in a smaller league always results in offers to them from clubs above us in the food chain of football.
Brendan Rodgers will I’m sure be welcomed back to Celtic Park because he is definitely a good football manager and I hope he’s as successful the 2nd time around as he was the 1st time. With the hope that he will help us to have a run in Europe until after Christmas.
We are proving to be no better than those rabid dogs over in Govan the way Ange has been discussed since he left.
He served us well, delivered 5 out of 6 trophies whilst dragging us out of a very dark hole indeed.
Its utterly appalling some of the attacks being made on his character for simply seeing an opportunity he could not refuse, one bad season in Scotland and that job, nor any other in the EPL would ever have been forthcoming.
I wish him nothing but success, because success for any ex Celtic employee is success for us as a club.
It’s what I’ve been saying since it became clear Ange was for the off. We eventually stopped deifying players with no prior connection to us, we should apply the same rational logic to managers.
This time though, add a clause in his contract that the compensation rate is x3 for a mid season departure….
Take emotions out of the reality wish is impossible because we are Celtic we live we breathe we evolve evolve as Celtic it is our existence. HAiL! HAIL!.
l
try convincing the hard-core element of our support ,who had banners a nd sang songs like like die in you sleep brendan Rodgers,from a bullet ,couple of bad defeats then the atmosphere will be toxic ,but then who knows I am not a great believer on returning players /managers very rarely does it work out .
Highest paid manager both must learn this time
Brendan won seven trophies out of seven, invincible treble,record points haul 106.Beat oldco 5_1 5-0 4_0 absolutely owned them. Qualified for the champions League two years in a row. Prior to Brendan arriving we qualified twice out of previous seven attempts. We had a top class manager in the building and the board in their wisdom refused to back his judgement and ambition.
Rodgers left Celtic FC mid-season. Ange left at the conclusion of the season.
That’s why Chris Sutton won’t forgive Rodgers. During the season, Ange rebuked three top
English clubs who approached him; telling them now is not the time. My source is an internet
news outlet with Celtic in its name. All consuming ambition was Ange’s fault; if it is a fault. Fans believed he owed them another season at least. This is debatable. When Ange starts thumping
the spurred cockerel I will be puking.
Sick this ” Ange ” garbage that man would left us in Jan, Feb whenever if he had any offeres no one came for him in spite of his agent hawking him since after World cup!! This guy gets no pass tho I knew he do that anyway never bought in to much of his nonsense. Bottom line Brendan a better manager , more sought after but choose Celtic ,younger and he is a real supporter maybe not like me or you but he a professional also, it’s like lot our fans want to be angry tho deep inside that are estatic! I know I am! Be angry with the Australian! Then! I say fill the ground for Brendan! Show the Aussie and the world ain’t no club or fans like us!! Tho I know that anyone none come close, and I tell you this if losing the Aussie meant getting Brendan well we are the winners! The man the best manager since Jock Stein hands down!
If managers and players are just commodities to be hired,fired,or transferred then we will have no heroes or legends .Do not get emotionally attached to anyone will be the motto and it will not be long before the club will be treated in a similar way. Wither you like it or not there are three components to Celtic,managers players and support and if you remove an emotional tie to two of these groups it will slowly happen to the third.We will become happy clappers and there will be no shoulders of giants for our players to follow.
It is about time all our bloggers stopped posting things about him that left for spurs, who gives a F### about the chest thumper, I hope every result there is a bad one.