Southampton recently parted ways with their boss Mauricio Pellegrino. The Argentine gaffer had just won once in their last 17 games and his job had been on the line for the longest time now. The Saints finally decided to part ways with him recently and are now looking at new options to consider.
Southampton’s inconsistent start to the season has left the club languishing out of the top 10 and just outside the relegation zone in 17th position on the table. The Saints’ board felt that 5 wins in thirty matches were far from the desired campaign they were hoping for. They have collected 28 points from their 30 game weeks and will be hoping to change their luck soon. The club appears to be flirting with danger as they are already a point ahead of the safety zone and will now have to work hard if they want to enjoy the riches of the Premier League next season.
It is in this light that a new boss is being hunted and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has come up as a candidate. The former Liverpool man has done an excellent work with the Scottish side and was recently linked with Arsenal as well.
Brendan Rodgers felt privileged to have been linked with the high-profile job at the Emirates but said that he is more than happy with his current work and does not wish to leave the Hoops. Rodgers is currently living his dream with the Scottish league leaders and hopes to live it as long as he will be allowed to.
“For me, my focus and my life is here. I love my professional life, the challenges of managing, the expectations, the scrutiny that comes with Celtic. Like I say, I’m living the dream. But the other stuff you can’t control, so I can’t worry about it. I’m not going to be here forever, but I’m living in a dream. And dreams always come to an end at some point, that’s for sure. But I am always relaxed about speculation and what not. My focus is only on Celtic. Arsenal is a great club, they have a great manager and they are going through a tough time of course.”
He accepts that the modern day game will now allow him to stay at any club for too long but believes that the culture of sacking managers comes as a pitfall alongside the other perks of the job.
“It’s, unfortunately, the game now but it will always be the case at big clubs, especially if your results just turn the other way,” said the Celtic manager. “What you have to be prepared for when you manage the big clubs is there is maybe going to be between five and ten people linked with your job, you know that. It doesn’t happen in too many other industries.
“But we live a privileged life, we get to manage and work with great players and great people. Like I say, with the big clubs comes big scrutiny and probably when my results drop off here a bit I’m sure there will be names linked but you have to accept that as part of the job. Arsene will know that he’s got great experience, he’s a really good man. He’s done wonders for British football and it’s just unfortunate at this period and for a little period now the focus has really been on him but that’s new football I’m afraid.”
This read should come as great news for Celtic fans who are enjoying an excellent spell under Rodgers. The Hoops have always been the top team in Scotland but what Rodgers has done is that he has set in place a system whereby success can be ensured for years to come. He has formed a team that is extremely young in age and has the desire to compete not just in Scotland but also in Europe. Celtic should hold on to their manager as long as they can.
