Brendan Rodgers picked same fight as Sir Alex Ferguson and learned the hard way | Football | Sport

Brendan Rodgers has found himself in a battle he was never going to win, much like Sir Alex Ferguson did over two decades ago. Those who challenge Dermot Desmond often end up on the losing side, as Rodgers has now discovered, leaving Celtic with his managerial reputation tarnished.

It should come as no surprise that Desmond, the most influential figure at Celtic, chose to launch a scathing attack on Rodgers’ character. Desmond is not one to tolerate fools lightly. Back in the 2000s, Desmond was a significant shareholder at Manchester United and became embroiled in a notorious dispute between Fergie and fellow Irish businessman John Magnier.

The lengthy and public disagreement centred around the ownership of champion stallion ‘Rock Of Gibraltar’. Fergie believed his share was worth more than what Magnier and his Coolmore bloodstock empire were willing to offer.

The dispute, which began in 2003 while Fergie was managing United, led to Magnier scrutinising the club’s past transfer dealings and the agents involved. This included Fergie’s son, Jason Ferguson.

Ferguson initiated legal proceedings, while United fans protested against Magnier and threatened to disrupt the Cheltenham Festival. However, the row was settled when Desmond agreed to serve as mediator.

This led to Fergie receiving a payout far below his original demands. With Desmond’s assistance, Magnier had emerged victorious.

Desmond ultimately secures what he desires, a reality Rodgers is beginning to understand. He works behind the scenes, operating with cunning.

He believes commerce should be conducted quietly. He makes every major decision without feeling obliged to justify them. Yet he has taken the remarkable step of breaking his silence regarding Rodgers.

The billionaire has accused the former Liverpool boss of uttering remarks which ‘have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club’, fuelling ‘hostility towards members of the executive team and the board’.

Put simply, whatever Rodgers has said or done has prompted Desmond to unleash his fury upon him. It’s hard to envisage how Rodgers can recover from this position.

He may even consider pursuing legal proceedings himself, much like Fergie did years earlier. Though he might wish to consider that course of action very carefully indeed.