Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers again dismisses links to Man United job as ‘gossip’

Brendan Rodgers has reiterated his commitment to Leicester despite ongoing links with the Manchester United job.

Sportsmail understands the former Liverpool boss is being considered as a candidate to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as permanent United boss in the summer.

Michael Carrick has taken over as caretaker manager, while Sportsmail understands the club’s hierarchy have named a five-man shortlist to take over as interim boss until May.

Brendan Rodgers has again dismissed links to the Manchester United job as ‘gossip’

United are still looking for a permanent manager to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (above)

But Rodgers – who already denied rumours of moving to United three days before Solskjaer was sacked – once again distanced himself from the Old Trafford links, insisting he accepts the ‘gossip’ will go on until a full-time manager is named. 

‘I don’t take it as anything,’ Rodgers said ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League visit of Legia Warsaw.

‘It’s not real. There’s always gossip and that will be there until they appoint a full-time manager. My commitment is to here. 

‘The culture here is about the development of the players, and that’s where I see it, even more so in this period. 

Michael Carrick (right) is in temporary charge with talks with five interim candidates planned

But Foxes boss Rodgers is considered one of the candidates to become the permanent boss

‘I respect you guys have stories to do and to create a narrative, but that doesn’t include me.’ 

Rodgers was appointed Foxes boss in February 2019, and has helped Leicester to two successive Europa League finishes as well as leading them to their first ever FA Cup success last season. 

And forward Ayoze Perez has vowed Leicester’s stars are not distracted by speculation linking Rodgers with a move away ahead of Thursday.

‘We are not even thinking about that possibility (Rodgers leaving). What he has shown us, he is totally focused on where we can improve,’ the Spaniard said.

Ayoze Perez (right) insists Leicester’s players are not being distracted with the Rodgers talk

‘We are not thinking about anything else, not him either. We are really focused here.

‘He is trying to make us think about the basics (to improve form). You have to try not to overthink and overdo things. We are sure the win is close. We know the importance of tomorrow and we are focused on that.’

Meanwhile at United, Sportsmail understands Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is still interested in the position but is not convinced they have made a significant approach for him yet.

The ex-Tottenham boss remains United’s first-choice to succeed Solskjaer and is ready to quit immediately, but the Ligue 1 giants are determined not to let him leave before the end of the season.

That has led the club to come up with a five-man shortlist to take over from Carrick on an interim basis.

PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino (above) is United’s first-choice to become new permanent boss

Lucien Favre (above) is on a five-man shortlist for Manchester United’s interim manager role

Ralf Rangnick – currently the head of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow – and former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde are two of the names they will speak to.

The duo will be joined by former Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre and ex-Roma manager Paulo Fonseca, while the list of candidates is completed by Rudi Garcia, who took Lyon to the Champions League semi-finals in 2020.

Sportsmail understands United are not considering the five names on the shortlist as permanent options and believe an interim appointment will bring stability during a chaotic season, before a more long-term process gets underway in the summer.

Sportsmail also understands Steve Bruce’s agent has offered his services to United while Unai Emery is another outside candidate.

Sportsmail can reveal Ernesto Valverde (L) and Ralf Rangnick (right) are also being discussed

Ex-Lyon boss Rudi Garcia (left) and Paulo Fonseca (right) are also being considered