Brendan Rodgers’ Unwanted Champions League Record
Brendan Rodgers, the former Celtic manager, has found himself in an unfortunate position as he holds the worst managerial record in the Champions League among those who have managed at least 20 games in the competition. Despite his successful first spell at Celtic, Rodgers has struggled to replicate that success in Europe’s top club competition.
During his second reign as Celtic boss, Rodgers witnessed his side gift possession to Lazio in the dying seconds of their Champions League clash at Parkhead. Cameron Carter-Vickers was caught on the ball inside his own half, and Lazio took advantage of the mistake, with Pedro applying the killer finishing touch. This late winner sealed a 2-1 victory for Lazio, leaving Celtic with no points after two games.
Rodgers’ record in the Champions League is far from impressive. Out of the 87 coaches who have managed 20 matches in the competition, none have won fewer games than the Northern Irishman. With just two wins from 20 games, Rodgers’ record is certainly a cause for concern. It is worth noting that this statistic only includes matches in the group stage and not preliminary ties in the qualifying rounds.
Looking at Rodgers’ full record, it reveals two wins, five draws, and 13 defeats. His first win in the Champions League came in 2014 when he was managing Liverpool. The Reds secured a 2-1 victory against Ludogorets in Rodgers’ first-ever fixture at that level. His only other three points came in 2017 during his second season as Celtic boss when his team beat Anderlecht 3-0 in Belgium.
The significance of this unwanted record has not gone unnoticed. Broadcaste beIN Sports took to social media to poke fun at Rodgers, stating, “It’s happened. Brendan Rodgers becomes statistically the WORST manager to have managed 20 games or more in the history of the Champions League.” The fact that Rodgers has only managed two wins out of 20 is unmatched among his peers.
In the aftermath of Celtic’s loss to Lazio, Rodgers expressed his frustration with some “strange” refereeing decisions. He highlighted the increased pressure in European competitions compared to domestic games. Despite the questionable decisions, Rodgers emphasized the overall performance of his team, believing it merited something from the game.
As Rodgers continues his managerial career, he will undoubtedly be looking to improve his Champions League record. With his experience and success in domestic competitions, it remains to be seen whether he can translate that into European success. For now, Rodgers holds an unwanted record, but he will be determined to turn things around and prove himself on the continental stage.
In conclusion, Brendan Rodgers’ second spell as Celtic manager has been marred by a disappointing Champions League record. With just two wins from 20 games, he holds the worst managerial record in the competition among those who have managed at least 20 matches. Despite this setback, Rodgers remains a respected figure in football and will be eager to improve his European credentials in the future.