Brendan Rodgers signs new contract as Leicester City respond to Arsenal interest

Arsenal’s search for Unai Emery’s replacement has suffered a blow with Leicester signing leading target Rodgers to a five-and-a-half year extension

Brendan Rodgers has signed a new contract with Leicester City in the wake of being linked with the vacant Arsenal job, tying him down until 2025 after agreeing a three-and-a-half year extension.

The former Liverpool and Rangers boss has been touted as a strong contender to replace Unai Emery at the Emirates Stadium, following Arsenal's decision to sack him last month and appoint Freddie Ljungberg in interim charge of the first team.

Since arriving at the King Power Stadium in February this year, Rodgers has steered Leicester to 17 wins from 26 matches, and his side currently occupy second place in the Premier League as the closest challengers to Liverpool eight points adrift.

But in response to the Arsenal board shortlisting Rodgers as one of 12 potential candidates to take over as manager, Leicester have offered Rodgers a new five-and-a-half year deal that runs until the summer of 2025, making him one of the longest-contracted managers in the Premier League.

"When I made the decision to come to Leicester City, it was because I was excited about the direction the club was taking and how I could apply my experience to the journey. I came here with a purpose to add something to that and to help the club build for the future," Rodgers said after the deal was confirmed.

“The support I have had from the chairman, Khun Top; from the chief executive, Susan Whelan; from the director of football, Jon Rudkin; and from everyone at the club has been amazing. I’ve inherited an outstanding team of staff that are dedicated to progress and improvement and we have a group of players that are a joy to work with every day.

“And to the club’s supporters, I can only say thank you for welcoming me and my staff into your club and for putting your faith in our work. We’ll continue to work together to bring success to Leicester city for many years to come.”

Leicester’s run of seven consecutive Premier League wins represents their best run of form since 1963, and convinced the club to offer the Northern Irishman a new deal to fend off interest from elsewhere.

Though Leicester did not confirm the finer details of Rodgers’s deal, it is likely that the estimated £14m release clause that was included in his previous deal has been either heavily increased or scrapped altogether.

Leicester City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “Brendan’s qualities as a coach are well-known and evident in the way he has sought to unlock the potential in every member of our exciting young squad.

“But just as important to us is the suitability of Brendan’s wider philosophy to the club’s established culture and values. He and his staff immersed themselves immediately, building an understanding for the club and the city and an appreciation for what makes them special.

“That has been a valuable combination over the last nine months – strengthening the bond between our players, staff and supporters – and I’m excited to see how it can continue to enhance our long-term vision for the club.”