'I left Liverpool because of Brendan Rodgers - I was devastated when he also left'

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Brendan Rodgers has resigned as Celtic manager, with the Northern Irishman's second spell in charge of the Scottish champions coming to an end after a poor run of formSteven Gerrard once admitted he left Liverpool because of Brendan Rodgers and was devastated when the manager followed him out of the club just a few months later. Exactly a decade since his dismissal from Liverpool, Rodgers has stepped down from his role as Celtic boss.The Northern Irishman’s second stint in charge of the Scottish giants came to an end following a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Hearts, which left Celtic eight points adrift of the Edinburgh club.Rodgers’ side had also struggled in Europe this season, with Celtic sitting 21st in the Europa League league phase table with only one victory to their name.

The Scottish champions have since confirmed that former manager Martin O'Neill and Shaun Maloney will temporarily take over at Parkhead.READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers was brutally honest about 'hurting' Celtic supporters after exitREAD MORE: Brendan Rodgers slammed by Celtic chief as ex-Liverpool boss branded 'divisive' and atmosphere 'toxic'Rodgers embarked on his second stint at Celtic Park in 2023, clinching consecutive titles to mirror his successes in 2017 and 2018. However, the manager's role in Gerrard's exit left a sour taste in the mouth of the legendary captain, with Rodgers informing him that he wouldn't be a first-team regular if he stayed at the club at the end of the 2014/15 season.Gerrard therefore chose to depart his boyhood club for MLS side LA Galaxy.

The former midfielder now admits he regrets not accepting a 12-month contract extension at the club and "putting up" with Rodgers so he could feature under Klopp.“I was devastated,” Gerrard said in a clip shared by The Anfield Wrap. I still felt that I was the best midfielder there at the time.“But in hindsight, if I’d have known what was gonna come off, 100 per cent, I’d have signed the year extension, and I’d have put up with four to five months of Brendan to get six months of Klopp, for sure.”Rodgers has now left Celtic with immediate effect, as the club's principal shareholder Dermot Desmond launched a scathing attack on the manager following his resignation from the club.