Mourinho praises Rodgers

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has lauded Liverpool’s decision to appoint Brendan Rodgers as their manager.

Rodgers, 39, takes over the reins at the Anfield after they sacked club legend Kenny Dalglish, and Mourinho has backed the move to be a success.

“I am very happy with his appointment at Liverpool, especially because he did it as a consequence of all his amazing work at Swansea,” Mourinho told reporters.

“Brendan is a good man, a family guy and a friend.”

Rodgers began his coaching career with Reading’s youth team before being snapped up by Mourinho at Chelsea.

He has since gone on to coach Watford, Reading and Swansea since breaking into management back in 2008.

Mourinho believes forward-thinking tactics and ideas give Rodgers the required ability to succeed in the role.

“When he joined us at Chelsea he was a young coach with lots of desire to learn,” Mourinho said.

“But he was also a coach with ideas, who was ready not just to listen but also to communicate and share.”