Rodgers ‘not surprised’ by Gerrard’s positive start
LEICESTER manager Brendan Rodgers is not surprised to see former Old Firm rival Steven Gerrard make a successful start to his managerial career.
Gerrard, in charge of Aston Villa, played at Liverpool between 2012 and 2016 under Rodgers, who back then saw managerial traits in his player.
The pair crossed paths for the first time as opposing managers in Glasgow as Rodgers won back-to-back domestic trebles during his two full seasons at Celtic, where he faced Gerrard’s Rangers team on two occasions. Each recorded a 1-0 win during that 2018-19 season, Gerrard’s first in management, before Rodgers left for Leicester shortly afterwards.
Last season, Gerrard delivered Rangers’ first Scottish title for a decade, in the process preventing Celtic from winning a historic 10 in a row. And Rodgers was full of praise for Gerrard ahead of Leicester’s trip to Villa tomorrow, when he is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with his former captain.
“When we were there together, he was brilliant for me. He was inspirational as a captain,” said Rodgers. “He was brilliant, very supportive, had the respect of everyone at the club, but he never rested on that. He was an incredible professional, very focused on his game and making improvements.
“For a young manager going into Liverpool, he was outstanding for me. I’m not surprised he’s made that step and gone into management.
“We don’t speak so much now, life is very busy, but I can see he’s taken his mindset as a player into his coaching and management career and he has started off really well, which doesn’t surprise me at all.”