Brendan Rodgers insists he will control Leicester squad player-power

Brendan Rodgers made his return to the Premier League after more than three years away by addressing what he has left and what he is joining.

To those upset at his sudden departure from Celtic, there was humility and an insistence the Leicester job would not have waited until the summer.

To those curious at how he will deal with a group accused by some of wielding player-power to topple Claudio Ranieri and Claude Puel, there was a compelling argument that strong opinions should be fostered.

Brendan Rodgers speaks to the media in his first official press briefing as Leicester City boss

It was a confident show from Rodgers, back in England’s top flight for the first time since being dismissed by Liverpool in October 2015. He began with an upbeat assessment of his Celtic spell and an explanation of his decision to forgo the prospect of a treble of trebles at Parkhead.

‘If I was making the decision with my heart I would still be at Celtic,’ said Rodgers. ‘But removing emotion was key. I have family who are deeply upset, but I was presented with an opportunity too good to turn down.

‘The ideal time would have been the summer, but it wasn’t going to wait. When Leicester spoke to Celtic, they made it clear I was their only choice and their intention was to bring in someone permanently.’

A banner unfurled by Celtic fans during Wednesday’s game at Hearts said Rodgers had swapped ‘immortality for mediocrity’ — and he snapped back at Friday’s press conference.

Rodgers takes a Leicester training session on Friday ahead of his first match in charge

‘This isn’t mediocrity, it is a club with a real rich history of its own, and recently the greatest sports story in history,’ he said.

How to progress from lifting the Premier League title was a conundrum Ranieri, Craig Shakespeare, and Puel were unable to answer. Rodgers has clearly studied that period since 2016 to see if he has the solution.

‘There’s a little bit of complacency,’ he said. ‘I don’t think it’s intentional. You see it in sport. You don’t quite run the same. Where you pressed for 10 metres, you’re now only pressing eight. But everyone still expects. So the last couple of years have been difficult because of that.

‘Now it’s the chance to press the reset button, come in with a clear vision. It’s a wonderful club, with ambition. Can we challenge for Europe? Then, can we win a trophy? I went to Celtic to win, and when you win you want to win more.’

That assessment chimed with his view on Leicester’s strong dressing room, which was originally nurtured by Nigel Pearson. To the outside world, it appears to undermine Leicester managers. Rodgers will give absolute direction but understands the value of listening.

‘I will very much lead them,’ he said. ‘But I am finding, and I have heard, that they are players who actually really care about doing well. When something is not quite right they will have an opinion.

‘I am so happy to have that type of player here because they are ambitious. As long as you give them purpose and are clear, they will thrive.

‘You want that leadership and character. If it oversteps the mark then you deal with it. I don’t think that will be the case.’

Kasper Schmeichel was one player to take up Rodgers’ offer of a chat during their day off on Wednesday and the new manager has also spoken to Jamie Vardy, Harry Maguire and Wes Morgan. He plans to talk to all of his squad individually.

Former Celtic boss Rodgers addresses his players ahead of Sunday’s clash with Watford

‘You traded immortality for mediocrity’ reads a Celtic banner aimed at Rodgers on Wednesday

Rodgers answers questions from the local and national media at the King Power Stadium

Striker Jamie Vardy smiles as the Leicester squad train at their Belvoir Drive training complex

He is only 46, but Rodgers can draw on a multitude of experience, including nearly becoming Leicester manager when he was a coach at Chelsea. Back then, chairman Milan Mandaric chose Gary Megson instead and Rodgers views it as a fortunate moment.

‘Twelve years later I’m enriched by all my experiences, good and bad, but I’ve always tried to remain committed in my life as a coach and always positive,’ he said. ‘The word you sometimes get is “deluded”.’

It seems Rodgers is aware of the Twitter parody account which contains that very adjective.

‘I’ve always been optimistic,’ he added — a stance that has survived the agony of missing out on the title with Liverpool in 2014. ‘People look at getting over the line. The last 14 games, we won 12, drew one. You feel the pressure if you’re not playing well. We were playing absolutely brilliantly.

‘Then we had what happened against Chelsea and that was the game which changed it for us. You’re always learning and developing. I’ve come into the Premier League now a better coach.’