Alan Brazil has suggested that Brendan Rodgers’ upcoming role could be in Saudi Arabia, despite ongoing reports linking him with a possible return to England.
The Northern Irish tactician is now without a club following his surprising departure from Celtic, which has sparked a wave of speculation surrounding his next destination.
Rodgers resigned from his position at Celtic Park on Monday, just a day after the Hoops’ 3-1 defeat to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.
He left the Glasgow club sitting second in the standings, eight points adrift of league leaders Hearts.
The tension only deepened following Rodgers’ exit, as majority shareholder Dermot Desmond launched a blistering criticism aimed at him.
Desmond took exception to remarks made by the ex-manager, who compared his squad to a Honda Civic that fans expected to perform like a Ferrari.
In the meantime, Celtic have appointed former boss Martin O’Neill as caretaker manager, with Shaun Maloney serving as his assistant.
Regarding Rodgers, he has quickly been linked with a return to English football, having previously managed Liverpool, Swansea City, and Leicester City in the Premier League.
Before his departure from Celtic, talkSPORT revealed that the 52-year-old was being monitored by three top-flight sides for potential summer openings — Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Fulham — with each of their managers set to be out of contract at the end of the campaign.
The former Liverpool boss has also emerged as the bookmakers’ frontrunner to succeed the under-pressure Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira.
However, given his early exit, Rodgers might be tempted to take up an immediate challenge elsewhere.
‘Heading to Saudi’:
Indeed, talkSPORT presenter and passionate Celtic supporter Alan Brazil believes Rodgers could continue his managerial journey much further abroad.
Referring to the now-famous Honda Civic comment, Brazil said: “Well, Brendan might just find himself driving a Bentley convertible soon, because from what I hear, he’s heading to Saudi.
Brazil continued: “That’s the rumour.
“There’s so many rumours flying about, but I’ve been told that’s probably where he’s going.
“If you think about it, where would he go from Celtic? Is he going to get a top job in England? Probably not.”
Brazil’s co-host Ally McCoist disagreed, maintaining that Rodgers could easily find another opportunity in the Premier League.
The Rangers legend responded: “He could get back in England easy, Alan, come on.”
He added: “What’s a top job nowadays? The obvious ones, you’re right.
“He’s not going to get Liverpool, Man United, City, Arsenal, or anything like that. But there will be jobs.
“There will be jobs coming around in the turn of the year that he could more than well be well suited for.
“But you’re right — if he fancies a payday, that’s the obvious one. I mean, Saudi would be clearly the obvious one.”