Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers admits leaving Watford for Reading was the ‘wrong decision’

Brendan Rodgers admits leaving Watford for Reading in 2009 was the ‘wrong decision’, but says he’ll always be grateful to the Hornets… and believes Leicester City are ‘within touching distance’ of top six despite recent Premier League struggles

  • Brendan Rodgers managed Watford in 2008-09 before moving to Reading 
  • Northern Irishman kept Hornets in the secont tier in his only season in charge
  • Leicester City boss joined Reading and was sacked within four months
  • Rodgers faces his former side at the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon
  • Foxes are without a win in their last three Premier League games 


Brendan Rodgers hasn’t endured a lot of misfortune in his managerial career to date, but his decision to leave Watford for Reading back in 2009 is something the Leicester manager looks back on with deep regret.

Watford, who travel to the King Power today, gave Rodgers his breakthrough in management, plucking the 48-year-old from Chelsea’s reserve team and placing him in charge of a side battling relegation.

He repaid the show of faith by keeping Watford in the Championship but, after less than eight months in charge, Rodgers joined Reading and was sacked before the turn of the year.

Brendan Rodgers and his Leicester side host his former club Watford on Sunday afternoon

‘I made the wrong decision to leave,’ Rodgers reflected.

‘At that stage of my career, I was in a hurry. There were some struggles behind the scenes.

‘I’ve always been one to try to take my fate in my own hands with my career. I made the decision at that time that was the wrong decision.

‘I’ll always be grateful to Watford for giving me the opportunity to manage at such a high level as a young manager.

The Northern Irishman managed Watford in the 2008-09 season before leaving for Reading

The Northern Irishman managed Watford in the 2008-09 season before leaving for Reading

‘I have so many good memories there. Vicarage Road was always a difficult place to go. We always seemed to get good results there. 

‘I’ll always be thankful for the opportunity.’

Rodgers’ latest challenge at Leicester has been far more rewarding but this season the Foxes have struggled for consistency and languish in the bottom half of the table.

Leicester City beat Legia Warsaw 3-1 on Thursday to move a step closer to qualify for the Europa League knockout stages after taking control of Group C

Leicester City beat Legia Warsaw 3-1 on Thursday to move a step closer to qualify for the Europa League knockout stages after taking control of Group C

But the Foxes have struggled for form in the Premier League and are 13th in the table

But the Foxes have struggled for form in the Premier League and are 13th in the table

‘I am only looking at Watford, that is the reality,’ Rodgers explained.

‘We are within touching distance of where we want to be, considering we have not had the most consistent start.

‘If we are talking about the top six, we’re very close to that. I expect us to be challenging as the season goes on but you want to be in contention as early as you can.’