Brendan Rodgers backed by Jose Mourinho for Liverpool success

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has backed ex-Chelsea colleague Brendan Rodgers to succeed as Liverpool boss.

Rodgers, 39, was unveiled as Kenny Dalglish's successor on Friday after Liverpool and his club Swansea agreed a compensation deal.

He worked as part of Mourinho's staff when he was in charge at Chelsea.

"I am very happy with his appointment, especially because he did it as a consequence of all his amazing work at Swansea," Mourinho told the Sun. 

Who is Brendan Rodgers?

  • 1973: Born 26 January in Carnlough, Northern Ireland
  • 1987: Begins career as a defender with Ballymena United
  • 1990: Joins Reading as a teenager before being forced to retire through injury. Remains as a coach
  • 2004: Jose Mourinho appoints Rodgers as Chelsea youth team manager
  • 2006: The Blues promote him to reserve team manager
  • 2008: Joins Watford
  • June 2009: Returns to Reading to replace Steve Coppell
  • December 2009: Leaves by mutual consent after a bad start
  • July 2010: Returns to management with Swansea
  • May 2011: Guides the Swans to promotion via play-offs
  • May 2012: Leads Swansea to 11th in their first Premier League campaign

Rodgers was appointed by Mourinho as the Chelsea youth-team manager in 2004 and was promoted to reserve-team manager two years later. He left Stamford Bridge in 2008 to become Watford boss.

His appointment came after the Reds were linked with a number of candidates including former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas,  ex-England coach Fabio Capello  and Ajax manager Frank de Boer,  as well as Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, who held a meeting with the club's hierarchy.

Rodgers declined an initial opportunity to speak to Liverpool about the vacancy 12 days ago before changing his mind and Mourinho believes he can make a good impression at Anfield.

"Brendan is a good man, a family guy and a friend," he added.

"When he joined us at Chelsea he was a young coach with lots of desire to learn.

"But he was also a coach with ideas, who was ready not just to listen but also to communicate and share."

Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy is happy with the decision: "I think they have made a very good appointment in Brendan Rodgers, I really do.

"He is very good guy as well, speaks well, knows his football, and he has proven himself."