New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers admitted he regrets hurting the fans when he left the club for Leicester. Nearly four and a half years after departing for the Foxes and inciting a backlash from a sizeable portion of Hoops fans who felt betrayed that he left mid-season while the team was chasing a treble-treble, the Northern Irishman returned to take charge of the Parkhead club on Monday. Although many fans have welcomed Rodgers back to the team, the manager is hoping to win over those who still have unresolved grudges.
“Listen, I can relate to the supporters’ emotions. There was a lot of passion at the moment because the club was attempting to win 10 consecutive games,” new Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said. “I sincerely thank the folks who have given me a lot of support both before and after I departed. And with the football we play and the success we may have, I want to change the minds of those who may not want me here.”
Although Rodgers claims he has no regrets about accepting the Leicester position, he is happy to have the chance to attempt to set things right with the Hoops supporters.
“I’m hoping I can maintain [a positive rapport with the supporters]. Naturally, there was sadness when I departed,” he added. “I don’t regret it at all, but I do regret the harm it brought to other people. And that’s the main reason I’m here right now. I understood what that meant because I am a Celtics fan, and I think I understood it much more when I left. That was my regret—that I had offended Celtic supporters—and it played a significant role in my decision to return.”
Before flying to Japan for a tour in July, Celtic players will return for preseason practice at the club’s Lennoxtown headquarters. Their first opponent will be Yokohama F Marinos, a former team of Ange Postecoglou, on July 19. On July 22, they will play Gamba Osaka. Then, on July 26, Rodgers’ team travels to South Korea to meet Wolves at the Suwon World Cup Stadium.
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