Fair play to the man.
Brendan Rodgers was sacked as Liverpool manager following the 1-1 draw in the Merseyside derby.
The Northern Irishman had been under considerable pressure for the past few months, and had become something of a figure of fun among some people.
Follow back @JobsiteUK ?
— The Football Hub (@TheFootbaIlHub) October 4, 2015
There was also little sympathy for the now former Liverpool manager, and it’s fair to say some of the criticism of Rodgers had become personal in recent months.
One ex Liverpool insider told me recently that it started going wrong after Brendan Rodgers had his teeth whitened.
— Ian Ridley 💙 (@IanRidley1) October 4, 2015
However, despite Rodgers’ frequent hyperbole, and repeated use of the word’s “outstanding” and “character”, an article from The Anfield Wrap reveals a more personal side to the 42-year-old.
According to journalist Melissa Reddy, Rodgers went beyond the call of duty a number of times behind the scenes.
Last year, the manager heard that a young employee at the club — not one in his sphere of Melwood — was undergoing life-changing surgery. The night before the patient-to-be was due into hospital to prepare for the operation, he received a phone call off Rodgers, who encouraged him to be brave and think not of the procedure, but of the betterment that would follow it. It touched him, and even now, the lad cannot fully articulate how much that gesture from the boss meant to him.
Rodgers also provided support to Jordan Henderson when his father was diagnosed with cancer, offered his congratulations to a player he’d coached at youth level, who was set to captain his country at the African Nation’s Cup, and contacted a fan following his grandfather’s death.
“In January this year, Rodgers sent a personal letter of condolence to a supporter whose grandfather had recently passed away. Joe, the recipient of the note, explained: ‘I couldn’t believe it at first. I took it straight to my dad to show him.
‘We were both absolutely made up that such an important person for the club had thought about the family at this sad time. It was a great gesture on behalf of the manager and club that they took the time to write a letter at this busy period for the club.
‘I’d like to thank them on behalf of the family as it means a lot to us. I would love to get the chance to personally thank Brendan Rodgers for making a hard time a little more bearable.'”
Rodgers also offered support to managers who’d lost their job.
Meanwhile, the manager has not forgotten the misery of being out of work — those seven months after being dismissed by Reading in 2009 ranking as one of the most painful experiences of his life, and so he makes a point of contacting every sacked boss to extend an invitation to Melwood as there are few things as depressing as being denied the thing your life revolves around.
Hopefully, a manager repays the favour to Rodgers now that he’s the one who’s been sacked.
You really have shown great character, Brendan.
