OPINION
To say that Brendan Rodgers’ departure from Celtic last week divided opinion would be an understatement, with many from outside Parkhead backing the Northern Irish manager’s decision to swap Glasgow for Leicester.
Much of the frustration of the Hoops faithful has not been about his exit – which was always a case of when and not if – but the timing of his departure, leaving the Bhoys midway through another treble chasing season to join the Foxes on course for a mid-table finish.
Regardless of whether he had to leave or not, a defence that has been levied in favour of Rodgers is that he achieved all he could in Glasgow, winning all the domestic silverware that he and his team could during his time in charge.
It is fair to say Chris Sutton does not agree.
In fact he has unleashed both barrels at the former Hoops boss, insisting that his record on the European stage has taken the club backwards rather than forwards on the continent.
Speaking to Alistair Bruce-Ball, he told BBC Sounds’ 606 (03/03, 1:09:30): “You say that Ali, what about Europe then, under Brendan Rodgers?
“They went backwards in Europe, that’s the truth. He came in and talked about Champions League last 16 places and it didn’t happen. When he says he’s done everything he can, it’s not what he said he would do. At the end of it, you can’t say he’s done everything that he could have done because he clearly hasn’t.”
The fact of the matter is that Sutton is spot on with his verdict – the club made no progress in comparison to their rivals in Europe.
His record is not great reading; Last in the Champions League group stage in season one, third and a last 32 exit in the Europa League in season two and without any Champions League football and another Europa League exit at the first knock out round.
Domestically, Rodgers did it all – but when the level of football is as poor as it can be in Scotland and with the money and quality of player at his disposal, it would have been an embarrassment had he not done so.
The gulf opening up between Celtic and their European rivals demonstrates he was not the success he thought he was and he cannot be totally satisfied with his Parkhead career.