Rodgers: I could hardly walk after catching coronavirus
Leicester manager backs restart despite his ordeal Northern Irishman being tested twice a week at club
Brendan Rodgers has revealed he is the second Premier League manager to have tested positive for coronavirus, describing how the disease left him “breathless” and struggling even to walk.
Rodgers and his wife, Charlotte, both contracted the virus in late March, shortly after the season was suspended, and the Leicester manager has compared the experience to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta tested positive in March, to throw the Premier League season into turmoil.
Rodgers said: “A week or so after we had broken up, I wasn’t well and it was later detected I had the virus and a week later my wife had it.
“We spent about three weeks feeling the effects of it. Of course, we were nowhere near as bad as what a lot of people were, but we lost our smell and taste for three weeks, we lost our strength, so I had a little feeling of whatever it must be like.
“I really struggled. I could hardly walk. It reminded me of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro [in 2011, when he was Swansea manager], as you climb higher you get more breathless. Walking 10 yards felt very different. I went for a run, and just couldn’t do it. I felt really weak and had no appetite.
“It really did knock you, but thankfully it was nowhere near as serious as what a lot of people have had. You come out of it really grateful that you were fine and it makes you appreciate your health.”
Rodgers said he had made a full recovery but will continue to be tested twice a week at Leicester’s training ground, along with his squad, who returned to training a fortnight ago.
With the campaign poised to resume on June 17, Rodgers has insisted that he has no issues with football’s return, despite his ordeal.
Leicester were third in the table and in contention for next season’s Champions League when the campaign was paused.
He said: “I felt that we had to give it every chance to get the games played, but not at the expense of everyone’s health.
“We’ve been patient with it, done all the work with the scientists and the clubs, and I feel we’ve now got the safest environment.
“When I came back into the training ground I felt at ease and as safe as we possibly can be, which alleviated any fears I may have had.
“It was important for the players that we got a start date and now we can really focus on getting the games on, which will be great for everyone.
“At the training ground it’s very safe, we are getting tested on the Monday and the Thursday. It’s not the case that now I’ve had it I wouldn’t test, you just never know.
“I think the biggest thing we’ve taken from this is the community feel you get. If there’s any good to come out of the pandemic, it’s a return to some sort of community spirit.”