According to reports, Leeds United have made Celtic target Brendan Rodgers their top priority, as the two clubs vie for his signature this summer.
The Northern Irishman, linked heavily with the vacant manager's job in Glasgow, has interested the Yorkshire club, according to The Athletic reporter Phil Hay.
The report claimed that the Yorkshire club's managerial search is now a "two-horse race" between Rodgers and former Norwich City manager Daniel Farke - who was linked with the Celtic job too.
An accompanying tweet from Hay said that Leeds are: "Trying to wrap up manager process this week. Rodgers they really want but not easy to persuade. Farke impressed initial discussions."
trying to wrap up manager process this week. Rodgers they really want but not easy to persuade. Farke impressed initial discussions. DOF/players? Won't develop until after they sort head coach.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 13, 2023
Farke's last job was in charge of Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach, but he was dismissed in June following the team's 10th-place finish in the league.
Rodgers won seven trophies in his first spell at Celtic, including two trebles in as many seasons. Following on from the previous manager Ronny Deila, he brought an expansive and possession-based style of play to Scotland, which brought him and his team success during his tenure.
However, his February 2019 departure to Premier League side Leicester City left many quarters of the club unhappy, particularly at the timing of his departure midway through the season, when Neil Lennon had to steady the ship in his absence.
His time at Leicester was a largely fruitful one, winning the FA Cup in 2021 and the Community Shield that same year. He secured two consecutive fifth-place finishes for the club and got them to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference league, before being sacked in April this year, with his team threatening relegation to the EFL Championship.
Leeds United, who were relegated from the English Premier League last season, are now bankrolled by 49ers Enterprises, who are the investment arm behind the San Francisco NFL team of the same name. They started last season under the management of Jesse Marsch, replacing him with Javi Gracia in February after a run of poor results before Allardyce was drafted in under three months later in the Spaniard's place.
They, like Leicester, will be hoping to bounce back into the Premier League at the first attempt next season.
