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Brendan Rodgers joins Reading
4 Jun 2009Watford have confirmed that Brendan Rodgers has left to become the new manager of Reading.
The Royals have agreed to pay compensation to their Coca-Cola Championship rivals starting at £500,00 which could rise to as much as £1million.
The 36-year-old only took charge at Vicarage Road in November but has left to rejoin Reading as replacement for Steve Coppell.
Rodgers - who still lives in Reading - spent nine years with the club as academy manager before being headhunted by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho in 2004 where he worked his way up to reserve team boss.
He left last year to take charge of the Hornets and successfully guided them away from the relegation zone as well as changing the style of play and developing several young players.
However, with budgets at Vicarage Road set to again be slashed for the forthcoming season Rodgers has jumped at the chance to work at the Madejski Stadium again.
Coppell looked set to lead the Royals to promotion from the Championship for much of last season but a spectacular loss of form after January confined them to the play-offs where they lost to eventual winners Burnley.
But with players such as Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle and Andre Bikey at his disposal Rodgers will be confident of a return to the Premier League next May.
Watford chairman Jimmy Russo admitted that he was powerless to prevent the Northern Irishman from moving on.
However Russo also revealed the Hornets will receive at least £500,000 from Reading which will provide a much-needed boost.
Russo said: "Following speculation over the Reading vacancy I had spoken to Brendan only last week and he had assured me that he was 100% committed to Watford and our plan for the future.
"But once he confirmed his desire to discuss the opportunity and Reading had met a contractual compensation figure, we were powerless to prevent him from doing so.
"I then spent up until Monday evening negotiating with Reading a vastly improved package which starts at £500k and potentially rises to £1million.
"The board remain strongly optimistic for the future and will meet to discuss the options available."
Reader views (3)
I think this story sums the ill health of modern football, zero loyalty from the players, managers or the people running the game. It is financially bankrupt and there is no one in the game prepared to stand up and make a difference to its future. Only 2-3 teams can win the Premiership, the same teams win the cups, the same teams get relegated from the Premiership each season so would someone please explain to me how we have the best league in the world. As for Rodgers - should we as Watord fans expected any loyalty from an ex Chelsea man? Pure hypocrisy and greed from the young man.
- Andrew, St. John's Wood, London, 04/06/2009 17:13
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So much for all of his "loyalty" ...also think the club needs to take a look at itself too. They forget that MK Dons is only up the road and they are signing up floating watford and l*t*n fans quite nicely.
- Martin Sherriff, L Buzzard UK, 04/06/2009 13:14
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Great choice of manager for us. He did a remarkable job of keeping Watford up & has great connections. Just dont bring that waste of space Jobi McAnuff with him!
- Robbie Reading, Reading, 04/06/2009 10:34
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