Ally McCoist says he is ‘surprised’ by Brendan Rodgers re-joining Celtic and how he thought the recently-sacked Leicester City manager would join Leeds United, instead.
It was a season to forget for Leeds during the 2022/23 Premier League season, which ended in relegation to the Championship, and in truth, it was deserved.
But given that the Elland Road post is still vacant, McCoist thought that Brendan Rodgers would still ‘fancy’ a job in England and possibly secure the job in Yorkshire, as he told talkSPORT Breakfast (20/06/23 at 7:50 am).
Whilst some are suggesting that Rodgers going back to Celtic is a ‘sideways step’, it would have probably been a backwards step dropping down to England’s second tier.
Yes, there are mixed emotions about Rodgers’ return to Parkhead given how the 50-year-old previously left, but he will be managing in the Champions League next season, as suppose to the Championship.
Added to that, being in the same division as Leicester, the club he played a major part in relegating, before leaving, would have drawn up its own drama.
“I’m not just talking about Celtic fans here, but I am talking about football fans in general, they can be very, very fickle,” said McCoist.
“I was a little bit surprised that Brendan has gone back, it’s just my own opinion. I understand why he has gone back. He was really successful there before. There has been some stick flying about from a section of the Celtic support.
“From Celtic’s point of view, I can understand and appreciate the appointment because he knows the club and has been successful before.
“I thought Brendan might have fancied going somewhere else down south. I thought he would have been in for Leeds.”
Who will be Leeds’ next manager?
Back in February, when Leeds sacked Jesse March, they took two weeks to replace the American, and even then, they brought in someone that was way down on their list.
Given it’s the off-season now, they have a bit more time to make this next appointment, but still, players will be returning to pre-season next month, so they still have to get a hurry on.
Several names have been mentioned to take the hotseat, with claims that Patrick Vieira is now the frontrunner, according to The Guardian.
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