Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Shared outlook can help Celts
LEE Congerton admitted his shared philosophy with manager Brendan Rodgers will be beneficial in his role a s C e l t i c ’s s c o u t i n g supremo but he stressed he would fit i n with the club’s successful transfer policy of recent years.
Congerton worked with the Celtic chief at Chelsea when Rodgers was reserve boss and the Welshman was chief scout.
The former Sunderland sporting director was appointed as head of recruitment on Wednesday to replace John Park, who left in October, four months after Rodgers took charge.
But Congerton made it clear he will work closely with chief executive Peter Lawwell as well as Rodgers.
On his relationship with Rodgers, he said: “Firstly that helps.There is a mutual respect.
“But you have a job to do and my appointment is a club appointment.
“I know they spoke to other candidates and I had other opportunities myself.
“This was a job that I wanted. Brendan is a big pull of that, without a shadow of a doubt, because to have a working relationship and a respectful one is very important. To be part of that and build something together is crucial to my own development.
“We were fortunate at Chelsea to work with some of the best people in the world, Jose Mourinho, and after Brendan left we had the likes of Carlo Ancelotti come in. Also at Chelsea we had Frank Arnesen who was there for a number of years who built a philosophy that we all worked and adhered to, but we were also allowed input ourselves.
“So I know Brendan and we share a similar p h i l o s o p h y. H e ’s the manager and he’ll decide the way forward but I understand the profiles he’s looking for.”