Liverpool boss Rodgers: I almost joined Manchester City's backroom staff

The Ulsterman flew to Milan to discuss a possible move to join the backroom setup at the Etihad Stadium following his dismissal as Reading boss three years ago.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed he almost joined Roberto Mancini’s coaching staff at Manchester City before becoming Swansea City manager in 2009.

When the Ulsterman was dismissed from his managerial role with Reading after just six months in charge at the Championship outfit, he held talks with City administrator Brian Marwood and even flew to Milan in order to discuss with a possible move with Mancini.

“I was grateful because it was good for my confidence at the time because I’d left Reading having had a long career in coaching and all of a sudden I was on the outside looking in,” Rodgers told The Telegraph. “I went up at the end of the season, took a couple of days looking around the project and everything and I flew to Milan to meet Roberto out there.

“They were excited about what was happening there and I didn’t really think I was going to get a manager’s job so the next best thing was at least working with top players.”

Talks with the Manchester club fell through when Rodgers closed in on a move to Swansea, which had just seen manager Paulo Sousa walk out the doors of the Liberty Stadium. Rodgers led the Welsh side to promotion in his first season in charge, with the Swans enjoying memorable home wins over Arsenal, Liverpool and City in their debut top-flight campaign.

“Then all of a sudden I got the opportunity to go to Swansea so to be the No.1,” Rodgers continued. “Irrespective of money and whatever contract, at a great club like Swansea was always going to be too good to turn down. I hadn’t had anything in writing from Man City but I probably would have [earned more money].

“In the first game [against Swansea] they brought [Sergio] Aguero on, and he cost more than our stadium. Over the two games, for three quarters of both games we were the better team.

“They have quality players, and once you’ve won the league it gives you greater confidence. But if we’re going to do anything this year we need to ensure that Anfield is a real cauldron of a place to come to.”