Brendan Rodgers has agreed a new Liverpool contract – and could put pen to paper before the end of the week.
It is understood the Northern Irishman has shaken hands on a four-season extension to his current £2.5million-a year contract, which will also net him an attractive pay rise and make him one of the highest-earning managers in the Premier League.
But it is the opportunity to build for the long term that attracts Rodgers, who has suddenly come onto the radar of Europe’s wealthiest clubs following a successful second season in charge of the Anfield giants.
Barcelona seem likely to be looking for a new boss in the summer, and reports from Spain suggest Rodgers’ name has come up at board level.
But Liverpool owners have moved swiftly to ensure their manager’s future is secured with the new deal.
It will provide a tonic for the club’s support after the disappointment and shock of the capitulation at Crystal Palace on Monday evening, when the Reds shipped three goals in a crazy last 10 minutes, to see their title hopes dealt a devastating blow.
Liverpool will still cling on to the hope that rivals Manchester City will drop points in their remaining two matches, but the message from the club is that this season – however, thrilling for the fans – is merely the start of a long-term plan, with Rodgers given time and money to leave a lasting legacy.
A fortnight ago, MD Ian Ayre unveiled plans to redevelop and expand Anfield and the first phase of that major build could be completed by the summer of 2016.
The club has also announced impressive commercial results, and hope to be in a strong financial position, especially with the introduction of financial fair-play rules, to challenge the richest clubs in Europe in the medium and long term.
They see a new contract for the manager as central to that. There are also plans to reward some of their most impressive performers this season, including skipper Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling, Martin Skrtel and John Flanagan, with new deals too in the summer.
With the manager and most of the best young players secured on long-term deals – as well as star forward Luis Suarez and his strike partner Daniel Sturridge – owners John Henry and Tom Werner believe they will have a solid foundation for future success, even if Liverpool suffer huge disappointment at the end of a dramatic season.
Speaking on Tuesday night, Rodgers offered an insight into his relationship with the owners, when he insisted they had given him an incredible platform to build on.
“I would like to thank the owners and the executive team for what they have done for me since I have been here,” he said. “They gave me, a young guy of 39 years old, the chance to develop the vision of football that I have.
“If they didn’t have faith in me, I wouldn’t be here because that is what modern football is like.”
Written by Steve Milne
