Fmr. Liverpool Manager Rejoins Celtic FC On Three Year Deal

[Webster]

BBC Sport: Celtic manager 'guarantees' three-year spell on return

New manager Brendan Rodgers has given a "guarantee" he will be at Celtic for the duration of his three-year deal, unless he "gets emptied before that".

Rodgers left Celtic to the ire of some supporters midway through the 2018-19 season, having won seven out of seven trophies since 2016. He subsequently enjoyed FA Cup success with Leicester City before being sacked in April.

"As a Celtic supporter, I understood what it meant. So that was my regret, that I hurt Celtic supporters and it's a big part of coming back," he said. "Hopefully in time, I can give you that feeling I gave you the first time. I don't expect anything, but if I get that support, great.

"For those who doubt, I've had that all my career so I will continue to work hard and hopefully a team that plays with the commitment people will enjoy. It will just take time. I've signed for three years and I guarantee I'll be here for three years unless I get emptied before that, as they say up here."

The 50-year-old Northern Irishman inherits a Celtic squad that have won five of the past six available major Scottish trophies, including all three in 2022-23.

And Rodgers disclosed that he had "exchanged messages" with predecessor Ange Postecoglou, who left for Tottenham Hotspur in June after winning a treble, and spoken at length to John Kennedy, who will remain as his assistant.

"My whole plan was to have a year out and reset again but once I spoke to guys at the club and looked a little bit more deep into where the club was at, it was then pretty straightforward," he said. "The club's in a fantastic place and it made me really excited. It wasn't a nostalgic move but I had a amazing time when I was here but I'm here to win going forward."

Celtic begin their season with the first match of their Scottish Premiership defence on the weekend of 5/6 August and will return to the group stage of the Champions League in September.