Friday 1 March 2019 18:12, UK
Brendan Rodgers says his move from Celtic to Leicester was "a very difficult decision", but he was lured by the desire for a new challenge in the Premier League.
Celtic enjoyed unrivalled success under Rodgers, winning a double-treble in his first two seasons, having won the Scottish Premiership without suffering defeat in his opening campaign.
Despite being on course for a historic treble-treble this season, Rodgers left to replace Claude Puel at the King Power Stadium earlier this week, ending his three-year spell in Scotland.
Rodgers' first game in charge of the Foxes is a trip to another of his former sides, Watford, live on Sky Sports on Sunday.
"It was a very difficult decision," Rodgers said. "If I was making this decision with my heart I would have been at Celtic for life because it is an incredible club and one I've supported all my life.
"It all happened very quickly. This was an opportunity that was presented to me and, of course, then emotionally you have to take that out.
"After nearly three years at Celtic, with everything we had achieved, I felt it was time to move on to my next challenge.
"I have had opportunities to leave but this one was too good to turn down, with the ambition that Leicester have.
"This is a group of players who are young and hungry. And they have needed stabilising with the emotions here on and off the pitch.
"It has been incredible with the journey to win the league and, of course, then the tragic events from earlier on.
"It was not easy at all [to leave Celtic]. I have got family who are still deeply upset. I have had to remove that emotion in my career as a football manager and I am very happy to have made the move."
Rodgers' decision to leave the Scottish Premiership champions midway through the season has led to criticism among some Celtic supporters.
Fans took to Hearts' Tynecastle stadium on Wednesday for Celtic's away fixture, equipped with a huge banner which read: 'You traded immortality for mediocrity. Never a Celt, always a fraud'.
"I have seen some of what has been said," Rodgers said. "Celtic supporters will hurt. I understand how they feel. They are obviously worried about what would happen with me leaving. But what we have put in place there in three years is going to stabilise the club.
"There is shock and they are probably angry, but I think eventually there will be a reality that will set in and the work that we did there will be appreciated.
"I certainly haven't swapped to come into a mediocre club. This is a fantastic club with a rich history of its own.
"Celtic are one of the biggest clubs in world football, you can't deny that, and it was one of the reasons I went there. For me, this was about the challenge and coming back into the Premier League.
"The challenge of coming in and working against top players and coaches, with a club with that ambition to move forward and keep progressing."
Leicester are currently 11th in the Premier League table, 10 points above the relegation zone and 18 points away from Chelsea in sixth, but Rodgers hopes his new side can compete with the top six next season.
"The expectancy is to challenge for a European place and look to win a trophy," he said.
"What Leicester achieved was an incredible story. That will always be difficult to repeat."
Asked if he will have money to spend in the summer, Rodgers added: "We have not spoken about that. There is no doubt that we will look to improve. I am sure we will spend some."
