Rodgers: I learnt lessons at Reading

Anthony Smith • Published 23 Jul 2010 09:00 0 Comments

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BRENDAN Rodgers says his ill-fated Royals reign taught him valuable lessons for his new role as Swansea City manager.

Rodgers was fired by Reading last December after 21 league games in charge.

And last week he was installed as Swans' new boss on a rolling 12-month contract.

The 37-year-old Northern Irishman and former Watford boss said: "Twelve months ago I was supposedly the up-and-coming top young British manager. Nothing has changed for me in that sense.

"Reading was a very short period of my career. I have learnt from the experience and it will make me a better manager for Swansea.

"I'm not arrogant enough to think there will never be a question mark over me.

"But I became a manager of a Championship club at 35 and I did that because I was pretty good at it."

Rodgers spent 10 years with Reading before joining Chelsea's backroom staff.

A stint at Watford, when he kept them up, was then followed by a return to Berkshire.

"When it comes to my spell at Reading, I suppose my heart took me back to a club and a place I knew well," he explained.

"But it was probably the wrong time to do what I was looking to do there.

"People will have seen here at Swansea that it takes longer to coach players to win games by playing good football.

"It takes longer than six months, especially if that isn't how the club have played before.

"I know, having spoken to Roberto, there were times in the early stages here when it didn't work. It took time.

"So, for me, 21 games wasn't long enough. The sad thing for me is that we were starting to turn the corner when I left."

Royals manager Brian McDermott argued Rodgers' appointment by Championship Swans sends out a positive message to up-and-coming coaches.

"When it doesn't work for a young manager at one club they often find it difficult to get another opportunity with another club," suggested McDermott.

"So I was delighted to see Swansea had taken Brendan on. It's good news for all young managers in the game."

Reports suggest Rodgers wants to make Ipswich striker Tamas Priskin his first signing, having failed to bring him to the Madejski Stadium a year ago.

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