Reported Leeds United managerial target Brendan Rodgers has previously praised one member of the Leeds squad, as links with a move to Elland Road begin to gather pace.
Daniel Farke is under the cosh at Leeds, as he prepares his side for a difficult Premier League meeting against Manchester City.
Despite Farke dismissing “outside noise” around his future, the Leeds United boss needs to inspire an immediate improvement from his side to hold back the tidal wave of criticism which he now faces.
Brendan Rodgers is one name linked with replacing Farke should Leeds decide to make a change, having left his position with Celtic earlier this season.
If the former Liverpool boss did make the move to Leeds United, he would finally get the chance to manage a player he has praised in the past, and came close to signing during his time with Leicester City.
Who do you want as Leeds United’s next manager? Brendan Rodgers once praised current Leeds United winger
Speaking in his press conference after Leicester secured a 1-0 victory against Leeds in their first game under Jesse Marsch in 2022, Rodgers once praised Leeds winger Jack Harrison.
Although Harrison has played a bit-part role in the current season, he was a regular under Marcelo Bielsa and, subsequently, Marsch, and Rodgers praised him after the game.
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Praising Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury after he played out of position against Leeds and defended against Harrison, Rodgers said: “It’s really important that you have players that are really flexible like that.”
He added: “Hamza is a great player for our squad. It was a challenge for him because he was up against a really good winger, who is also good in the one-on-ones.
“He coped really well with it. He hasn’t, of course, played a great deal – but he fought and gave everything.”
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesBrendan Rodgers nearly signed Jack Harrison for Leicester City
However, Rodgers’ interest in Harrison did not end there, as he came close to bringing Harrison to Leicester in February 2023.
Leeds were battling against relegation near the end of Marsch’s reign and had invested heavily in the signing of Georginio Rutter to strengthen their forward line.
Daniel Farke’s pre-Man City press conference
As a result, Leeds came close to allowing Harrison to leave, as Rodgers told Sky Sports: “It was surprising the player [Harrison] was going to be available, and then it got as far as it did, having met and spoken with the player.”
Ironically, the collapse of the deal saw Harrison agree a new long-term contract with Leeds, which meant the club were unable to offload him permanently, as he joined Everton on two season-long loans before returning this season.
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