Luis Suarez has hailed Brendan Rodgers as one of the best in the business as his former Liverpool gaffer gets set for his sensational second coming at Celtic.
Parkhead chiefs are ready to hit the button on the blockbuster deal to bring back the Northern Irish boss four years after his departure for Leicester City in the English Premier League. Rodgers is set to make good his previous promise of one day picking up the reins again with the Hoops – and the stunning swoop has been given the Suarez seal of approval.
The former Anfield and Barcelona legend was part of the Liverpool side who came agonisingly close to ending their long wait for the EPL title under Rodgers in 2014. And the hitman has told Record Sport he is convinced Celts are landing one of the top managers on the continent – who will feel right at home in the Champions League.
Suarez said: “Celtic already have some very good players – but under Brendan they can go to the next level if they listen to him. For me he is one of the best coaches in Europe and it is no surprise to me that he has got back into the game so quickly.
“He loves the game – he is passionate about not only winning but playing an attractive style of football. I am glad that he will be back coaching in the Champions League – because that for me is where he belongs.”
Sir Kenny Dalglish snapped up Suarez for Liverpool from Ajax in his brief second stint in charge at Anfield.
But it was under Rodgers the Uruguay ace became one of the best players on the planet.
The incoming Celtic gaffer managed to get the hothead hitman’s career back on track after controversial biting incidents – and he kicked on to claim the European golden boot and Premier League top scorer accolades under the Northern Irishman before earning hero status at Barca.
Suarez said: “If it was not for Brendan I am not sure I would have had the career that I did – he invested so much in me.
“He obviously cares about the team and about playing attractive football – but what people maybe won’t know is how much he works one on one with every single player. He will sit down with you as often as he needs to and make a plan for areas you need to improve, talk about strengths, look at a weakness in the opposition that you as a player can exploit.”
The Rodgers return is set to be rubber stamped in the next 24 hours after being tempted out of his plans to take a break from the game by Parkhead powerbroker Dermot Desmond.
The 50-year-old admitted previously he had unfinished business with Celts following his shock exit in February 2019 after winning seven trophies out of seven in a dominant two-and-a-half years in Scotland.
Rodgers led Leicester from 11th to two top five finishes in the EPL and the last four of the Europa Conference League, while winning the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
The former Watford, Reading and Swansea boss was sacked after struggling with the cash-strapped Foxes last season but has been linked with numerous jobs down south before answering the Celtic call.
It is understood Rodgers has been sold on a comeback by ambitious plans for the champions to compete in the Champions League – while maintaining domestic dominance.
