Brendan Rodgers to turn down Newcastle approach as he holds out to succeed Guardiola

Rodgers is hot property

Brendan Rodgers will turn down approaches from Newcastle United in hopes of succeeding Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

Newcastle’s recent takeover by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund has seen them linked with every half decent player under the sun and various managers, despite Steve Bruce (somehow) still being employed.

Managers linked with the club include Frank Lampard, Antonio Conte, and Lucien Favre among others. But reports indicate Newcastle’s priority is taking Brendan Rodgers from Leicester to lead the club into a new era.

Leicester have hit a sticky patch in the opening weeks of this season, with just two wins from their first seven league games, and Newcastle look keen to take advantage of that and lure the Northern Irishman to St James’ Park.

However, as stated in the Mail, Rodgers is greatly admired at the Etihad is being sounded out as a potential replacement for Guardiola in the summer of 2023, and he would prefer to wait for that move than jumping ship to Newcastle now.

When the time comes, adapting to life after Pep will be a challenge for City’s squad, and the board believe Rodgers’ outstanding coaching ability would soften that blow.

Newcastle are expected to sack Steve Bruce before their game against Tottenham on Sunday, with his assistant Graeme Jones expected to bridge the gap between his exit and the appointment of a new manager.