‘Big talking point’ – Brendan Rogers’ Celtic exit assessed by finance expert amid Nottingham Forest interest
Brendan Rodgers’ job will be under pressure at Celtic after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that the Northern Irishman may walk away from the Hoops at the end of the season.
Celtic tumbled out of the Champions League after losing on penalties to Kazakh side Kairat Almaty on 26 August.
The Hoops will have to settle instead for a place in the Europa League, and as such will take a significant hit to their revenue.
Brendan Rodgers had been desperate for Celtic to further improve their squad this summer, especially after Nicolas Kuhn departed for Como.
But without the boost of Champions League money, the Hoops’ spending power will be drastically reduced and they will likely have to target cheaper options to bolster Rodgers’ options.
This has led to mounting speculation that the ex-Liverpool manager could be on his way out of Parkhead sooner than expected.
Brendan Rodgers unlikely to leave Celtic immediately
This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
Brendan Rodgers has been shortlisted by Nottingham Forest, should Nuno Espirito Santo leave the City Ground this summer.
But speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley explained that he would be surprised to see the 52-year-old leave immediately, although an exit at the end of the season could be a very real possibility.
“I think that’s probably unlikely as we’re talking right now. He’s been here before, hasn’t he? He knows the landscape of Scottish football financially. He knows where the pressure’s coming from.
“He knows how it all works, so I think he will be, you know, in the background, he’ll be aware of that, and of course, again, we’re back to the Champions League. That’s going to be the next big talking point for the next couple of weeks.
“They’ll have to dust themselves down and get on with winning the title, ultimately, because that’ll be the objective. This situation could put a bit of pressure on him.
“But I just don’t see him kind of walking away this early on. I think it’s probably going to be dependent on how the whole season goes and what happens at the end of it.”
Swansea City closing in on Adam Idah
Amidst the chaos at Parkhead, one of Rodgers’ already limited attacking options may be on his way out this summer.
Swansea City are in advanced talks to sign Adam Idah, Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider exclusively.
The Irishman has struggled to nail down a starting spot in Rodgers’ side, especially after Daizen Maeda asserted himself as the first-choice number nine last term.
Idah is yet to score this season and missed his penalty in the shootout against Kairat that ultimately led to Celtic missing out on a place in the Champions League.