Career Timeline of Brendan Rodgers: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Brendan Rodgers built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Brendan Rodgers is a Northern Irish professional football manager and former player. He's known for his tactical acumen, particularly his emphasis on attacking, possession-based football. Rodgers has managed several prominent clubs, including Swansea City, Liverpool, Celtic, and Leicester City. He achieved significant success with Celtic, winning multiple Scottish Premiership titles. His leadership style often emphasizes player development and creating a positive team environment.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1987: Started Senior Career at Ballymena United

In 1987, Brendan Rodgers began his senior career as a defender for Ballymena United, his local team.

2004: Joins Chelsea Academy

In 2004, Brendan Rodgers joined the Chelsea Academy as their head youth coach. He was invited by José Mourinho after a recommendation by Steve Clarke.

2004: Joins Chelsea as Youth Manager

In 2004, José Mourinho invited Brendan Rodgers to join Chelsea as their youth manager, after Rodgers impressed with his work as academy director at Reading. This was after Rodgers had spent time in Spain studying coaching methods.

2006: Promoted to Chelsea Reserve Manager

In 2006, Rodgers was promoted to reserve manager at Chelsea, continuing his progression within the club's coaching structure.

November 2008: Became Watford Manager

In November 2008, specifically on November 24, Brendan Rodgers left Chelsea to become the manager of Championship club Watford.

2008: Appointed Watford Manager

In 2008, Brendan Rodgers was appointed as the manager of Watford, marking his first senior managerial role.

June 2009: Became Reading Manager

In June 2009, Brendan Rodgers agreed to become the new manager of Reading after a compensation package was agreed with Watford.

2009: Appointed Reading Manager

In 2009, Brendan Rodgers became the manager of Reading, his former club, after leaving Watford.

July 2010: Appointed Swansea City Manager

In July 2010, Brendan Rodgers accepted an offer to become the manager of Championship side Swansea City.

2010: Appointed Swansea City Manager

In 2010, Brendan Rodgers became the manager of Swansea City. He led the club to promotion to the Premier League.

April 2011: Secured Swansea City's Place in Championship Play-Offs

By April 2011, specifically April 25, Brendan Rodgers secured Swansea City's place in the 2011 Championship Play-Offs after a victory over Ipswich Town.

May 2011: Led Swansea to Premier League Promotion

In May 2011, Brendan Rodgers led Swansea to the Championship Play-Off final, defeating Reading and achieving promotion to the Premier League, making Swansea the first Welsh team to reach the Premier League.

June 2011: Rodgers climbs Mount Kilimanjaro

In June 2011, Rodgers joined a team representing the Football League to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care in honour of his mother – who died in 2010 – and his father – who died of cancer in 2011.

September 2011: First Premier League Win

On September 17, 2011, Brendan Rodgers achieved his first win as a Premier League manager when Swansea defeated West Bromwich Albion.

June 2012: Appointed Liverpool Manager

On June 1, 2012, Brendan Rodgers became the new manager of Liverpool Football Club, marking a significant step in his career.

July 2012: Rodgers Thanks Swansea Supporters

In July 2012, Brendan Rodgers wrote an open letter to Swansea City supporters, thanking them for his time at the club. He also held his first training session at Melwood with the Liverpool squad.

August 2012: First Competitive Game as Liverpool Manager

In August 2012, Brendan Rodgers oversaw his first competitive game as Liverpool manager, a 1–0 win in the UEFA Europa League against Gomel.

2013: Rodgers' Liverpool team formation

During the 2013–14 season, Rodgers' Liverpool team interchanged from 4–5–1 to 3–5–2 to 4–4–2 to 4–3–3 to a diamond formation. Steven Gerrard described Rodgers' one-on-one management as the best he had seen.

2013: Led Liverpool to Runners-Up Position

In the 2013–14 season, Brendan Rodgers led Liverpool to a runners-up position in the league, a notable achievement during his tenure.

May 2014: Signed New Contract with Liverpool

In May 2014, Brendan Rodgers signed a new four-year contract at Liverpool. Later that month he was named the LMA Manager of the Year.

October 2015: Dismissed as Liverpool Manager

In October 2015, Brendan Rodgers was dismissed from his position as manager of Liverpool Football Club.

May 2016: Appointed Celtic Manager

In May 2016, Brendan Rodgers became the manager of Celtic, a Scottish Premiership club.

November 2016: Won First Trophy as Manager

On November 27, 2016, Brendan Rodgers won his first trophy as a manager, as Celtic defeated Aberdeen 3–0 in the final of the Scottish League Cup.

December 2016: Celtic's winning streak

In December 2016, Brendan Rodgers became the first manager in Celtic history to win his opening three games against Rangers. This victory meant Celtic went 19 points clear in the 2016–17 Scottish Premiership table, secured their 5th consecutive league victory, achieved 58 points from a possible 60, and stretched their unbeaten run in domestic football to 24 games.

April 2017: Celtic secures sixth consecutive league title and Rodgers signs new contract

In April 2017, Celtic, managed by Brendan Rodgers, defeated Hearts 5–0 to secure the club's sixth consecutive league title with eight games to spare. Five days later in April 2017, Rodgers signed a new four-year contract with Celtic.

May 2017: Celtic completes domestic treble

On 21 May 2017, Celtic's 2–0 win over Hearts saw them finish 30 points ahead of second-placed Aberdeen in the league with a record 106 points, and the team become the first Scottish side to complete a top-flight season undefeated since 1899. On 27 May 2017, Celtic defeated Aberdeen 2–1 to win the Scottish Cup, securing a domestic treble for the fourth time in their history, and ending the 2016–17 season unbeaten in all domestic competitions.

November 2017: Celtic surpasses British record for consecutive domestic games undefeated

On 4 November 2017, Rodgers guided Celtic to a 4–0 victory over St Johnstone. This victory meant Celtic were unbeaten for their last 63 domestic games. The victory also meant they surpassed the 100-year British-held record for consecutive domestic games undefeated, which was also held by Willie Maley's Celtic team, set in 1917 at 62. On 26 November 2017, Rodgers won his fourth trophy in a row as a manager as Celtic defeated Motherwell 2–0 in the 2017 Scottish League Cup Final.

April 2018: Rodgers secures second league title

On 29 April 2018, Rodgers secured his second and Celtic's seventh consecutive league title with a 5–0 win against Rangers at Celtic Park. This win also extended Celtic's unbeaten run against Rangers to 12 games.

May 2018: Rodgers wins first 'Double Treble'

In May 2018, the season ended with Rodgers winning the first 'Double Treble' (a treble in two consecutive seasons) in Scottish football history with a 2–0 Scottish Cup Final win over Motherwell on 19 May 2018.

December 2018: Celtic wins Scottish League Cup

In December 2018, Celtic won the Scottish League Cup, which was Rodgers' seventh successive trophy with the club.

February 2019: Left Celtic for Leicester City

In February 2019, Brendan Rodgers departed from Celtic to become the manager of Leicester City.

February 2019: Rodgers appointed manager of Leicester City

In February 2019, Rodgers was appointed manager of Leicester City, following the dismissal of Claude Puel.

February 2019: Rodgers departs Celtic for Leicester City

In February 2019, with Celtic leading the Premiership by eight points, Rodgers departed Celtic and joined English Premier League club Leicester City.

March 2019: Rodgers' first game with Leicester City

Rodgers' first game in charge of The Foxes was on 3 March 2019 away against former club Watford. The game ended in a 2–1 defeat. In Rodgers' home debut, his second game in charge, Leicester won 3–1 over Fulham. Striker Jamie Vardy scored his 100th goal for the club in the match.

December 2019: Rodgers signs contract extension with Leicester City

On 6 December 2019, Rodgers signed a contract extension keeping him at Leicester City until 2025. At the point of signing the deal, his team had recorded 7 wins in a row and sat second in the table after 15 Premier League games.

September 2020: Leicester defeats Manchester City

On 27 September 2020, Leicester defeated Manchester City 5–2 away from home, making Rodgers the first manager whose team scored five goals against a team managed by Pep Guardiola.

May 2021: Leicester City wins FA Cup

On 15 May 2021, Rodgers led Leicester City to win the first FA Cup title in their history, after a 1–0 win over Chelsea in the final. Despite being in third place for most of the season, Leicester finished fifth and qualified for the Europa League.

2021: Won the FA Cup with Leicester City

In 2021, Brendan Rodgers won the FA Cup with Leicester City, marking a significant achievement.

2022: Rodgers leaves Leicester City

Leicester began the season with seven defeats from their opening 10 Premier League games in 2022, slumping to the bottom of the table. Rodgers left the Foxes by mutual consent on 2 April following a 2–1 defeat against Crystal Palace.

April 2023: Left Leicester City by Mutual Consent

In April 2023, Brendan Rodgers left Leicester City by mutual consent.

June 2023: Returned to Celtic

In June 2023, Brendan Rodgers returned to Celtic as manager.

2023: Celtic's 2023-24 season

Celtic began the 2023–24 season with a 4–2 win against Ross County in the opening fixture of the Scottish Premiership. Celtic opened up an early lead in the Scottish Premiership. In the Champions League, Celtic finished bottom of their group with four points, however they won their first home game in the competition since 2013 after beating Feyenoord 2–1.