Rodgers – I Was Happy At Swansea

Sunday, 28 October 2012, 10:37
3 mins read

Brendan Rodgers talks ahead of his first meeting with Swansea since leaving the Liberty at the end of last season

โ€œIn my time at Swansea, personally I donโ€™t think Iโ€™ve ever been through a more difficult period in all my life,โ€ Rodgers explained to Wales on Sunday, the 39-year-old losing his father to cancer last year.

โ€œYet, professionally, I probably had arguably the most successful period of my life.

โ€œBut that only came because of the support I got from the people of Swansea.

โ€œI was โ€“ and always have been โ€“ touched by their support. Since I left Iโ€™ve had a number of letters from Swansea fans and there was one which was really poignant.

โ€œI missed a press conference one day and no-one ever knew why.

โ€œI travelled to see a young lady called Amanda who was a headteacher.

โ€œShe had been diagnosed with cancer, she was told she was all right but then she was readmitted with only a few months to live.

โ€œIt was the day to meet the press, but life was more important so I went to see her. She was in the last few weeks of her life.

โ€œShe was a mad Swansea supporter, but, ironically, her family were big Liverpool supporters.

โ€œWhen I spent the afternoon with her, she went away and wanted to give me something for when she passed away.

โ€œSo when I arrived at Liverpool the family said this was something that she wanted to give me. It will always stay closely with me.

โ€œIt reminds me that my relationship with the people,ย playersย and supporters will never change.

โ€œFootball is football. That is the real world.

โ€œI was happy at Swansea, I really was,โ€ said Rodgers. โ€œItโ€™s a club that is really going to go on and grow and grow into a really established Premier League club.

โ€œI knew what the journey was there. I was more than happy to be part of that and help that to grow.

โ€œBut this is Liverpool. You walk into the building here and there is the European Cup for the five titles here.

โ€œThey havenโ€™t won the league for 23 years. Itโ€™s a frustration, but that was part of coming here to try and help and test myself as a manager.

โ€œEven with all that it was a really emotional time. I remember with Huw, my wife… the pull was incredible.

โ€œThe professionalย challengeย was why I came. If it was about people and honesty and those type of things, Iโ€™d still be at Swansea.

โ€œBut this challenge is so great. It was still a big decision; I spoke to a number of people but one of the best bits of advice came from the chairman.

โ€œHuw was incredible in the process, he saw it from professional point of view, but also as a friend.

โ€œI respect the Swansea City supporters, no matter what their response is,โ€ said Rodgers when asked what he thinks may greet him from the Anfield Road End on Wednesday.

โ€œItโ€™s never easy when anyone leaves. I hope over time that the work I did during that period will be respected and looked upon.

โ€œI understand if there is any ill-feeling towards me. But I only left to come to one of the biggest clubs in the world.

โ€œI had four chances to leave whilst I was there, but I was always very happy in my life.

โ€œIt took an opportunity from an iconic club to come for me to go.

โ€œAnd the Swans now have a terrific manager who will add his own slant to the philosophy.

โ€œSwanseaโ€™s philosophy is in place, weโ€™re only at formation here,โ€ he said. โ€œWhere we are at and where we want to be is two different places.

โ€œBut I love the challenge and I love the responsibility.

โ€œAnd, whatever happens after this experience, I will be a better manager for having gone through everything here.โ€

Which hints at why he felt, for all the attachment, Liverpool could not be said โ€˜noโ€™ to.

โ€œLook at Owen Coyle. A couple of years ago he was touted as being the next Liverpool manager. Heโ€™s now out of work,โ€ he added.

โ€œIโ€™ve spoken to managers and weโ€™ve all seen it. Itโ€™s why loyalty is with supporters.

โ€œItโ€™s their club and they love it. I will go into a club and give it everything.

โ€œI felt I did that at Swansea, an incredible place, and, whatever reaction I do get, hopefully over time people will see my piece of work and history.โ€

 

Read Moreย http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/swanseacityfc/swansea-city-fc/2012/10/28/brendan-rodgers-i-knew-swansea-would-grow-and-grow-but-liverpool-pull-was-too-strong-to-turn-them-down-91466-32115618/#ixzz2Aaa9wXNC

Images courtesy of Getty Images, Athena Picture Agency and Swansea City Football Club.

League Table

Next Up

Forum Latest

Threads: 19,513

Messages: 269,320

Members: 4,704

Latest member: Dazdec

Next Up

League Table

Last 6 Results

Latest from Blog

Swans TV: Goal of the Month | November 2024-25

. . . For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaCityFC Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/swansofficial Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/swansofficial Swansea City Association Football Club is a…

Swansea City await FA Cup fate

The Swans will this evening find out who they will face in the third round of the FA Cup when the draw is made at around 7pm on BBC 2 and BBC iPlayer. The third round draw was traditionally one of the most eagerly looked at dates in the calendar…

Swans TV: Swansea City v Portsmouth | The Full Match

. . .watch all of the action from the Swans' Championship clash against Portsmouth at the Swansea.com Stadium. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaCityFC Follow us…

Swans TV: Swansea City v Portsmouth | Highlights

. . .watch some of the key moments from the Swans' Championship clash against Portsmouth at the Swansea.com Stadium. For more information, as well as all the latest Swansea City AFC news, log onto the club's official website at http://www.swanseacity.com Subscribe on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/SWANSPLAYER Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SwanseaCityFC Follow…