CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers insists he wouldn’t be happier “anywhere else in the world”, despite bookmakers having him among the favourites to replace under pressure Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.
The Carnlough man was in Belfast yesterday to launch his autobiography, The Road to Paradise, at the Waterfront, with all proceeds going to the Northern Ireland Hospice.
Having left Liverpool under a cloud, Rodgers has rehabilitated his coaching career at Celtic Park, winning the treble last season and equalling their record for a domestic unbeaten run of 62 games against Kilmarnock last weekend.
On Tuesday, the Bhoys faced Bayern Munich in the Champions League at Celtic Park and, although they lost 2-1, Rodgers was in an upbeat mood on his flying visit home.
“Of course, we didn’t get the result, but we’ve made steps forward in our belief at that level,” he said.
“I’ve always said this is a process. Individually, the Bayern Munich players were better than ours - that’s why they’re at Bayern Munich - but, for us, it’s about building a collective that can allow us to compete at this level.”
Rodgers was combative when it came to the status of his current post compared to a top job in England, and insists Scotland is exactly where he wants to be.
“I don’t need validation to come to Celtic. I loved working in England, the Premier League is an incredible league,” he added.
“I’m not sure I could be anywhere in the world, and I don’t mean just in England, I don’t think I could be anywhere in the world and be as happy as what I am now because I’m getting the chance to develop players.
“Every coach and manager will tell you it’s nice when you’re linked with these jobs, but it’s all irrelevant really,” Rodgers said when pressed about his odds on becoming the next Chelsea manager.
“As a manager, one day you’re the devil, the next day you can walk on water.”
