Swansea City Academy coaches gain insight from former manager Brendan Rodgers

Four Swansea City Academy coaches recently linked up with former Swans manager Brendan Rodgers and his coaching staff to learn of his football philosophies and knowledge at Scottish Premiership side Celtic.

Rodgers - who was in charge of the Swans when they secured promotion to the Premier League in 2011 - is now in his second stint as Celtic manager, and has won 10 trophies with the Parkhead club, having also secured the FA Cup while at Leicester City.

Swansea coaches Anthony Wright, Liam McGarry, Paul Wavell and Sam Morris were invited on a trip to Scotland to learn from the former Liverpool manager and his staff, before attending their 3-0 Scottish Premiership win over Dundee United.

“Brendan Rodgers was incredibly generous with his time and open with his industry leading knowledge, and there is no doubt that was largely down to his care and affection for Swansea City," said McGarry, head of coaching at Swansea City’s academy.

“It was amazing to gain insight into how Celtic play, with and without the ball. Whilst there were a lot of similarities in playing styles, with both of us being ball dominant and possession-based teams, Brendan and his coaching staff still gave us a lot to think about and to take back to Swansea. 

"The purpose of the trip was to enhance and improve the things we do at Swansea City and as a group of staff, we are now in the process of deciding how we implement our learnings. 

"After we returned to south Wales, we were delighted to see how well Celtic performed in Germany against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. It was great to see so many hallmarks of Brendan Rodgers’ playing philosophy shine through against such top-level opposition.

"Celtic’s match template encapsulated so many principles and characteristics that we are hoping to establish or further develop back in Swansea. Our aim as an academy is to work tirelessly to attempt to punch above our weight and be the thorn in the sides of many big clubs.

"However, we want to be competitive without giving up on our principles or losing our identity, and that is exactly what Celtic did over two legs versus Bayern Munich.

"Brendan spoke so fondly and passionately of his time at Swansea City and he was extremely complimentary about the city, the people and the football club.

"Undoubtedly, Brendan’s time in Swansea largely contributed to how hospitable and open he was to us throughout our visit, and it is amazing to think how that long standing relationship has found a unique way of helping our current crop of homegrown players that are being developed in our Swansea City Academy."