Brendan Rodgers was offered £8m up front to replace Manuel Pellegrini at a Chinese Super League side this summer, according to The Daily Mail.
The paper reckon that the interested party was Hebai China Fortune, who appointed former Wales boss Chris Coleman in June after Pellegrini left the country to return to the English Premier League, which he won with Manchester City in 2014.
Rodgers did not confirm which club made the offer, but did admit on Wednesday night that one was made after last season, one of a number he’s received since taking charge of the Hoops in 2016.
As quoted by The Daily Mail, the Celtic boss said:
Since I’ve been at Celtic the last couple of years I’ve had a few offers, so that’s no different to any of the others.
My focus is very much on Celtic and being here. And trying to help us rise to the challenge of this season. There’s nothing more really to say on that.
What you know with China is that it’s an awful lot of money.
But I’ve found happiness here and I spoke with the owners of the club and the board and we found an agreement and we move on.
I’ve had other opportunities, but I’ve still got this year and another two years on my contract and unless they get fed up with me or something else happens I’m very privileged to be here.
There’s been lots of gossip and rumour mongering over the last few weeks regarding not only Rodgers’ happiness at the club but morale in the dressing room too, so it’s good to hear that the manager remains committed as ever to the Celtic cause, despite massive amounts of money being available to him.
The team showed on Wednesday night they still react to their manager, coming out after half-time to produce a good performance and book their place in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup.
Hopefully it’s a springboard towards greater success under Rodgers.
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