Published: Friday, 5th June, 2009 3:45pm

Rodgers speaks of Premier League dream

by Anthony Smith

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NEW Royals boss Brendan Rodgers feels it is his "duty" to guide the club back into the Premier League.

The 36-year-old Northern Irishman was sworn in at a press conference earlier today (Friday) after an agreement was reached with Watford.

A deal of around £1 million has been struck with the Hornets for Rodgers, with his trio of backroom staff Frank Lampard snr, Dean Austin and Karl Halabi set to follow him soon.

And for Rodgers his arrival on a three year contract is something of a homecoming.

"I'm very proud to be the manager of a very special football club," stated Rodgers. "I've had an association with Reading since I was 13 years of age. It was the reason why I came to England at 16.

"I've seen the growth of the club over the last 20 years and the job was too hard to turn down because this is a Premier League club now.

"My personal ambition is to get Reading promoted. I've lived in the town for more than 20 years so I feel it is my duty to take the club there."

Rodgers' playing career ended through injury at just 20 and he has worked as a coach ever since.

He left his post as Reading's Academy and reserve team manager in 2004 when he was headhunted by ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

After working with the Blues' youth team, he was given the job of looking after their reserves side which included some of the biggest names in the Premier League.

He also grew closer and closer to Mourinho, whose advice he sought about the Reading vacancy.

Mourinho - despite the Petr Cech incident at the Madejski Stadium - was hugely complimentary about the Royals and told him to take the job.

"Chelsea was a great experience and I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for that," he admitted. "I had to earn the right to work with top players in a world class environment.

"Then I moved to Watford. I was never crying to leave because it's a very good football club but this was an opportunity for me to return to my roots and hopefully become only the second manager in Reading's history to take them into the Premier League.

"The opportunity was too good to turn down."

Rodgers kept Watford up last season after joining them in November and, though he had no intention of leaving, he says the chance to manage Reading was one he could not turn down.

"I'm only 36 but I haven't just arrived," he explained. "I've been learning my trade for 15 years and I will always be thankful to Watford. They will always be part of my story.

"But this is a big job and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

Rodgers now has a battle on his hands to keep hold of Reading's crown jewels like Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt and James Harper.

Chairman Sir John Madejski insists money will be available to strengthen the squad this summer.

And Sir John is confident he has got the right man to guide the club through an uncertain new era following the departure of Steve Coppell.

"We interviewed quite a few candidates but by head and shoulders the best was Brendan Rodgers," he said.

"I'm delighted he's coming back to Reading having gained invaluable experience both at Cheslea, where he worked for Jose Mourinho, and at Watford where he honed his skills in the Championship.

"We really do believe we've got the pick of the crop and the best manager for Reading. He knows the 'Reading way', he's familiar with everybody at the club and he's an outstanding candidate.

"I think this is a very good time for his to come back. It's a new era and we're all incredibly excited about his role here."

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