The champagne corks popped and the glasses clinked as Brendan Rodgers looked out at the spectacular views over stunning Port Adriano marina.
It was May 20, 2016 and the Irishman had just completed all of the formalities to become the new Celtic boss and the highest paid manager in the history of Scottish football. The sun was shining, the crystal clear blue sea glistening and life was sweet.
The negotiations had been completed and the ink was drying on the 12-month rolling contract. "It all came through, it got signed,” explained Rodgers some time later as he described the moment he became Celtic boss. “I was in Majorca with my fiancee, Charlotte, overlooking Port Adriano in Majorca and we celebrated with some champagne. Charlotte hasn't ever been into football so she hadn't really heard of Celtic.” Rodgers was back at his family home on the Balearic island when he again met a Celtic delegation of chief executive Michael Nicholson and finance chief Chris McKay. The champagne remained on ice as the 50-year-old continues to consider whether to make a return to Parkhead, Record Sport exclusively revealing Dermot Desmond has intervened in a bid to make it happen.
The Irish billionaire and majority Hoops shareholder is set for face to face talks in London with Rodgers with the reaction of fans stung by his mid-season departure to Leicester City first time around remains a factor. Rodgers, who had been out of work since being sacked by Liverpool, said as he painted that picture in Spain first time around: “Dermot asked me to be the architect of the club and create something.
“It wasn't a decision based purely on emotion, it was going to be about a professional move. When I spoke to the people at the club, they sold it to me. It was too good an opportunity to turn down. I never knew if it would come again. I only came to Scotland for Celtic. I grew up a supporter and understand the ethos and the values. It’s an iconic club worldwide. I think it was fate that really got me to Celtic. The timing just happened to be perfect. I was fed up taking holidays, I was ready to work.”
And on the first anniversary of agreeing to become Celtic boss, Rodgers admitted it had gone better than even he could have imagined. He said: “I have to say. I never thought I could be this happy - in everything really. I have got great relations with the directors, a great working relationship and a real respect for Peter [Lawwell].”
READ NEXT
