Swansea City Manager Brendan Rodgers has committed his immediate future to the Swansea City project by signing a new contract with the Welsh club that will see him continue at the Liberty Stadium till the summer of 2015.
Rodgers, a former Northern Ireland youth international, saw his professional playing career cut short by a major injury when only 20. He soon though became involved with coaching, becoming his club – Reading’s – youth team coach. His talent caught the eye of Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho, who brought him on a Youth Team boss at Stamford Bridge. Rodgers soon grew into the role of leading the Reserve Team at Chelsea before earning an opportunity to manage Watford in the Championship. His short stint at Vicarage Road ended when he got the opportunity to return to Reading to take over as Manager there, but eventually left the club after barely 6 months in charge by mutual consent.
An opportunity at Swansea beckoned in the summer of 2010, and Rodgers led his side to the Premier League with a Play-off victory ironically against former club Reading. His first year so far in the Premier League has been quite phenomenal with Swansea performing above and beyond even their manager’s expectations. Their home form has been rather spectacular and recently included a 3-2 win against London giants Arsenal.
Rodgers said, “I’m delighted to sign the new deal. I’ve been very pleased with my work over the last 19 months. I can only promise that over the next three-and-a-half years I will continue to fight for the club and its people to help us become a sustainable Barclays Premier League club.”
Brendan continued, “I very much appreciate what Swansea as a city, a club and supporters have given me and my family over the last 19 months, so signing the new contract was one of the easiest decisions of my life.”
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins was also delighted to have secured the services of Rodgers.
Jenkins said, “It’s very good news. We are under no illusions about the fact that we have got one of the best young managers around working for our club. Brendan has shown what he is capable of over the last couple of seasons and what he has done for us has been very pleasing. He is fully behind and supports the philosophy of the club and how we want to work. His personality and immense qualities highlight the importance of finding the right person to work with us to take the club forward.”
Rodgers had been on a rolling annual contract since his arrival, and the fans will be absolutely delighted to see him ink a new three-and-a-half-year contract. Arguably his most attractive quality is the style of football that Swansea play, and should he be able to attract talent to the Liberty Stadium, a Welsh side would continue to adorn the English Premier League for some time to come.
(TheSportsCampus)
