Brendan Rodgers has labelled speculation linking him to the Manchester United job as ‘disrespectful’ while dismissing any links altogether.
In recent weeks, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job has become the main talking point on most media outlets since Manchester United’s morale-sapping defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City at Old Trafford. While the Norwegian is constantly linked with an imminent exit, he somehow retains the faith of the club’s board to keep his post.
Antonio Conte was the early favourite to replace Solskjaer before he took over at Tottenham. The Italian’s move has further shortened the list of potential replacements for the Manchester United boss, with Zinedine Zidane and Brendan Rodgers being linked with the job.
With Zidane categorically out of the equation, Rodgers was pencilled in by the media to become the man to take up the post. However, the Leicester City manager, who has had a very good time at the King Power Stadium since joining from Celtic, has dismissed any links with Manchester United.
Speaking to the press ahead of the game against Chelsea this weekend, Rodgers told Sky Sports those links were ‘not real’. He also labelled speculation over taking over as Manchester United manager as ‘disrespectful’, suggesting he is only focused on Leicester and their next Premier League game.
? "It's something that's not real."
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers says speculation that he could replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as #MUFC manager is 'not real' and is 'disrespectful' to Solskjaer ❌pic.twitter.com/JhnFoEa76b
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 18, 2021
Rodgers said, “There’s two things. Firstly, it’s really disrespectful for you to ask the question when you have a manager [Ole Gunnar Solskjaer] in place, a good manager and a good man, who is working for the club.”
“Secondly, I can’t really comment on it because it is something that is not real. I am here as the Leicester City manager; I’m proud to be here, privileged to be here and fully committed to the players, the club, the ownership.
“That’s about it really. All the other noise around that is something that we can’t control. I’ve focused, like I have done in my career, so the only club I’m thinking about is Chelsea and getting ready for that.”
As things stand, Solskjaer’s job looks secure, at least in the short term. The Norwegian will look forward to facing Watford in the Premier League, and a win could boost the chances of prolonging his role at Manchester United. However, clashes against Chelsea and Arsenal could further define his long-term prospects in the hotseat at Old Trafford.
