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Brendan Rodgers tells Arsenal 'why would I want to leave Leicester?'
Brendan Rodgers doesn’t see a reason why he would leave high-flying Leicester City for Arsenal.
Unai Emery was sacked on Friday after the Gunners’ worst run in more than a quarter of a century with Rodgers quickly installed as one of the favourites to succeed him at the Emirates.
Rodgers, who has transformed the Foxes into credible title contenders this season after taking over back in February, fuelled the speculation after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Everton by revealing he has a release clause in his contract at the King Power.
But ahead of Wednesday’s match against bottom club Watford the Northern Irishman appeared to row that back.
“I’m staying at Leicester. I’m not interested (in Arsenal), I have said that,” Rodgers said. ”What I will say is I have a contract here and thus far, and I know managers are losing their jobs, the club haven’t indicated to me that they are going to sack me, so I think they’re pretty happy with how we’re working.
1/16 Who could succeed Unai Emery at Arsenal?
Here are 15 candidates ranked who could replace Unai Emery at the Emirates.
Getty
2/16 15. Thierry Henry (Montreal)
After his catastrophic reign at Monaco, the chances of Henry returning to north London are far slimmer. However, if he's successful in his new role with Montreal, he would still share a connection with Arsenal's temperamental fan base like no other candidate.
AFP via Getty Images
3/16 14. Nuno Espirito Santo (Wolves)
The Wolves manager has had great success leading the side from the Championship to the Europa League. He's still relatively young in managerial terms and could also bring close ties with 'superagent' Jorge Mendes.
Getty
4/16 13. Marcello Gallardo (River Plate)
Linked with Barcelona as the successor to Ernesto Valverde, Arsenal could nip ahead in the race for the Argentine after River Plate's defeat to Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores final.
Getty
5/16 12. Rafael Benitez (Dalian Yifang)
Although only recently moving to China after ending his reign at Newcastle, the proposition of taking over at Arsenal would likely be too hard for the Spaniard to refuse. He would bring endless experience to the role, however, his appointment would not be a long-term solution.
Getty Images
6/16 11. Diego Simeone (Atletico)
Clubs have found it impossible to prise the Argentine away from Atletico, however, after eight years in Madrid, with the club undergoing a period of transition, Arsenal might be able to lure him away.
Getty
7/16 10. Eddie Howe (Bournemouth)
The Englishman has been considered by a host of top Premier League teams but usually as a second-choice. Could Arsenal be the ones to throw their weight behind him after such a successful spell at Bournemouth?
Getty
8/16 9. Ralf Rangnick
The architect of much of Red Bull's footballing success, Rangnick has been subject to interest from a host of Europe's elite clubs, including Arsenal. With Manchester United also mooted to be interested, it remains to be seen whether he'd consider a move to north London an attractive proposition.
Getty
9/16 8. Carlo Ancelotti (Napoli)
The situation at Napoli has become toxic over the past few weeks with players revolting against the ownership. Ancelotti was keen on the vacant Tottenham role and, on a short-term basis, he could be seen as a safe pair of hands to guide Arsenal through a troubled period.
AFP via Getty Images
10/16 7. Julian Nagelsmann (RB Leipzig)
The 32-year-old is widely acknowledged as the best young manager in football and someone Arsenal could seek to build a long-term plan around. However, they are far from the only club interested in tempting the German away from Leipzig.
Peter Kovalev/TASS
11/16 6. Patrick Viera (Nice)
The former Arsenal captain has always been linked with a return to the club and would surely be interested in the role. The ball is instead with the Gunners' hierarchy to deem whether Vieira is ready after spells in New York and Nice.
Getty
12/16 5. Max Allegri (Free agent)
The hugely successful former Juventus manager remains without a club after leaving the Italian champions in the summer after a disappointing Champions League run. He was included in Arsenal's shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger.
AFP/Getty Images
13/16 4. Brendan Rodgers (Leicester City)
The former Liverpool manager is flying with Leicester and, after already being considered by the Gunners in the past, he would surely be one of their leading candidates - if he's willing to leave the Foxes.
Getty Images
14/16 3. Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal)
If Unai Emery is dismissed, it's believed Ljungberg - his assistant - will at least be given a run of games to see whether he can carry the Gunners until the end of the season. If that spell turns out to be a success, there's no reason why Arsenal wouldn't continue with the well-liked Swede.
Getty
15/16 2. Mikel Arteta (Manchester City assistant)
Pep Guardiola's assistant came close to taking the job at Arsenal before Unai Emery's arrival. Whether he would be willing to depart the Premier League champions and a position as Guardiola's successor remains a doubt. However, after studying under the greatest manager in football today, the former Arsenal midfielder's potential is enormous and he's already garnered great respect from senior figures and players at City.
PA
16/16 1. Mauricio Pochettino (Free agent)
The Argentine has publicly claimed he wouldn't manage Spurs' north London rivals. He'd also undoubtedly prefer a role at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or PSG. However, he remains the clear betting favourite to replace Unai Emery and would surely be coveted by the Arsenal hierarchy - no matter how unlikely.
1/16 Who could succeed Unai Emery at Arsenal?
Here are 15 candidates ranked who could replace Unai Emery at the Emirates.
Getty
2/16 15. Thierry Henry (Montreal)
After his catastrophic reign at Monaco, the chances of Henry returning to north London are far slimmer. However, if he's successful in his new role with Montreal, he would still share a connection with Arsenal's temperamental fan base like no other candidate.
AFP via Getty Images
3/16 14. Nuno Espirito Santo (Wolves)
The Wolves manager has had great success leading the side from the Championship to the Europa League. He's still relatively young in managerial terms and could also bring close ties with 'superagent' Jorge Mendes.
Getty
4/16 13. Marcello Gallardo (River Plate)
Linked with Barcelona as the successor to Ernesto Valverde, Arsenal could nip ahead in the race for the Argentine after River Plate's defeat to Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores final.
Getty
5/16 12. Rafael Benitez (Dalian Yifang)
Although only recently moving to China after ending his reign at Newcastle, the proposition of taking over at Arsenal would likely be too hard for the Spaniard to refuse. He would bring endless experience to the role, however, his appointment would not be a long-term solution.
Getty Images
6/16 11. Diego Simeone (Atletico)
Clubs have found it impossible to prise the Argentine away from Atletico, however, after eight years in Madrid, with the club undergoing a period of transition, Arsenal might be able to lure him away.
Getty
7/16 10. Eddie Howe (Bournemouth)
The Englishman has been considered by a host of top Premier League teams but usually as a second-choice. Could Arsenal be the ones to throw their weight behind him after such a successful spell at Bournemouth?
Getty
8/16 9. Ralf Rangnick
The architect of much of Red Bull's footballing success, Rangnick has been subject to interest from a host of Europe's elite clubs, including Arsenal. With Manchester United also mooted to be interested, it remains to be seen whether he'd consider a move to north London an attractive proposition.
Getty
9/16 8. Carlo Ancelotti (Napoli)
The situation at Napoli has become toxic over the past few weeks with players revolting against the ownership. Ancelotti was keen on the vacant Tottenham role and, on a short-term basis, he could be seen as a safe pair of hands to guide Arsenal through a troubled period.
AFP via Getty Images
10/16 7. Julian Nagelsmann (RB Leipzig)
The 32-year-old is widely acknowledged as the best young manager in football and someone Arsenal could seek to build a long-term plan around. However, they are far from the only club interested in tempting the German away from Leipzig.
Peter Kovalev/TASS
11/16 6. Patrick Viera (Nice)
The former Arsenal captain has always been linked with a return to the club and would surely be interested in the role. The ball is instead with the Gunners' hierarchy to deem whether Vieira is ready after spells in New York and Nice.
Getty
12/16 5. Max Allegri (Free agent)
The hugely successful former Juventus manager remains without a club after leaving the Italian champions in the summer after a disappointing Champions League run. He was included in Arsenal's shortlist to replace Arsene Wenger.
AFP/Getty Images
13/16 4. Brendan Rodgers (Leicester City)
The former Liverpool manager is flying with Leicester and, after already being considered by the Gunners in the past, he would surely be one of their leading candidates - if he's willing to leave the Foxes.
Getty Images
14/16 3. Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal)
If Unai Emery is dismissed, it's believed Ljungberg - his assistant - will at least be given a run of games to see whether he can carry the Gunners until the end of the season. If that spell turns out to be a success, there's no reason why Arsenal wouldn't continue with the well-liked Swede.
Getty
15/16 2. Mikel Arteta (Manchester City assistant)
Pep Guardiola's assistant came close to taking the job at Arsenal before Unai Emery's arrival. Whether he would be willing to depart the Premier League champions and a position as Guardiola's successor remains a doubt. However, after studying under the greatest manager in football today, the former Arsenal midfielder's potential is enormous and he's already garnered great respect from senior figures and players at City.
PA
16/16 1. Mauricio Pochettino (Free agent)
The Argentine has publicly claimed he wouldn't manage Spurs' north London rivals. He'd also undoubtedly prefer a role at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or PSG. However, he remains the clear betting favourite to replace Unai Emery and would surely be coveted by the Arsenal hierarchy - no matter how unlikely.
“And I am very happy, so I’ve no need to look elsewhere. And I think logic would tell you – and I know that sometimes in your world it’s not always logical this gossip and speculation – but why would I want to leave Leicester City at this moment in time?
“I’m working with a young group of players with so much potential, that want to improve and want to develop. There’s a lot for us to grow and develop over these next few seasons. We’re moving to a new training facility.
“I respect there will always be this speculation around jobs, but for me, I repeat, I’m happy here, very happy, and have great relations with all the people and I feel I want to continue with that. Take from that what you want.”
Rodgers left Celtic to take over at Leicester in February and after presiding over a ninth-placed finish last season he has seen his team win 10 of their 14 Premier League matches this campaign as the Foxes sit second in the table.
The former Liverpool boss went on to add that he is also happy in Leicester away from football and has settled well in the area.
“The message is clear, it has been, and probably I’ll get asked again until they (Arsenal) appoint someone, but it’s very simple: I’m very happy here. I couldn’t be happier here. It’s a combination (of personal and professional happiness). I love coming into my work every day, working with the people here.
“And when you come in with that excitement and knowing the potential we have here to really grow and develop, that brings me happiness. On top of that, I love the area, it’s a wonderful place to live, so when you have that combination why would I want to give that up?”
This news item was provided by the The Independent - Premier League website - the original link is: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/brendan-rodgers-next-arsenal-manager-news-leicester-city-contract-clause-a9229766.html