Brendan Rodgers agrees surprise move: Ex-Celtic boss' next job confirmed

Robin Bairner

Updated: 15 Dec 2025 11:35 GMT
4 min read

Brendan Rodgers, Celtic FC, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Brendan Rodgers is close to agreeing a new job after leaving Celtic in October.

Rodgers departed the Scottish Premiership champions following a spectacular falling out with majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, who openly attacked the former Liverpool and Leicester boss.

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Now the 52-year-old is on the verge of completing a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah, according to transfer expert Matteo Moretto, who indicated on X that a deal is already done.

Al Qadsiah sacked Michel Gonzalez on Sunday, with the Saudi outfit promising a ‘swift’ appointment of a new manager.

According to The Athletic, the Saudi club had talks with a number of candidates from Europe but Rodgers emerged as the leading candidate due to his experience, playing style and philosophy.

It reports that Al Qadsiah, owned by the state-owned national oil company Aramco, wanted a manager in place by the beginning of the January transfer window.

Rodgers will take over the club that lies fifth in the Saudi Pro League but is coming off a difficult period of form in which they have suffered three defeats in four.

Who are Al Qadisiah’s star players?

Al Qadsiah the blockbuster names that some other clubs in the league have, but do have talent that has performed at the highest level previously.

Former Real Madrid centre-back Nacho Fernandez is their most experienced title winner, but they also boast names like Julian Weigl and Otavio in their midfield, as well as Italy international striker Mateo Retegui.

© IMAGO - Nacho Fernandez (left) is one of the stars Brendan Rodgers will manage

What happened to Rodgers at Celtic?

Rodgers, meanwhile, had a difficult conclusion to his time at Celtic, departing the club while they were second in the Premiership behind Hearts.

“When we brought Brendan back to Celtic two years ago, it was done with complete trust and belief in his ability to lead the club into a new era of sustained success. Unfortunately, his conduct and communication in recent months have not reflected that trust,” Desmond said in an explosive statement.

“His words and actions since then have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving. They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and fuelled hostility towards members of the executive team and the Board.”

Although the Hoops enjoyed something of a revival under interim boss Martin O’Neill, they find themselves deep in crisis after three successive defeats following the appointment of Wilfried Nancy.

While Celtic’s board continues to cop much of the flak for the club’s ongoing struggles, many fans lay at least a portion of the blame at the door of Rodgers.

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