The acrimonious departure of Brendan Rodgers from Celtic has been laid bare after majority shareholder Dermot Desmond launched a scathing personal attack on the manager. Desmond accused Rodgers of being “self-serving” and breaching trust, painting a picture of a toxic environment behind the scenes at Celtic Park. The attack, described as spiteful, has raised questions over why the club did not part ways with Rodgers months ago if the relationship was so fractured.
Rodgers had been frustrated by a lack of squad investment, despite his domestic success. He considered leaving after the summer transfer window but chose to stay, even as Celtic fell eight points behind Hearts. Fan protests directed at the board had become a regular feature, with Rodgers himself noting that “it’s normally the manager that goes when that starts to be sung” amid chants of “sack the board”. Desmond condemned the abuse but defended the club’s structure, insisting it had served Celtic well for over two decades.
The supporter dissent stems from perceived boardroom complacency, with Celtic’s European shortcomings undermining claims of success. Since 2014, the club has been eliminated from Champions League qualifying by teams such as Cluj, Ferencvaros, and Bodø/Glimt, while the latter and other inferior sides have progressed to the group stage. Rodgers’ final European game, a win over Sturm Graz, saw him conduct media duties in a marquee in the car park, highlighting a small-time approach off the pitch.
Rodgers did not intend for his second spell to end so bitterly; he returned to Celtic ignoring more lucrative opportunities. However, after a title-winning season that ended with a Scottish Cup final defeat, the team was not properly rejuvenated. The inevitable divorce became unnecessarily acrimonious, with Desmond’s extraordinary outburst ensuring Rodgers cannot now show his face at Celtic Park.
