Former Liverpool and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers marks Saudi Founding Day in full traditional dress and rifle display in Saudi Arabia as Al Qadsiah stun rivals in Pro League campaign

Brendan Rodgers has always been a manager who leans into the moment.

This time, though, he’s leaned all the way into a flowing Saudi thobe, a ceremonial rifle in hand, and a national celebration that had social media doing a double take.

From Parkhead Pressure to Pro League Spotlight

When Brendan Rodgers walked away from Celtic for the second time, it felt abrupt and tense.

The Northern Irish coach, once adored for delivering domestic dominance at Parkhead, left amid friction over recruitment, spending, and what he described as internal briefings against him.

His relationship with the board had frayed, especially after a summer window that saw the club spend roughly half of what they earned in player sales.

European disappointment didn’t help.

Celtic’s early exit from the Champions League play-off round to Kairat Almaty only intensified scrutiny.

A league defeat to Hearts proved the final straw, and Rodgers exited under a cloud, with critics questioning whether the second stint had damaged his legacy at the Glasgow club.

That chapter now feels a world away.

A Saudi Reset with Al Qadsiah

Fast-forward to December, and Rodgers was unveiled as head coach of Al Qadsiah, a club newly promoted to the Saudi Pro League but backed by serious ambition.

The team is owned by Saudi Aramco, giving it financial muscle and long-term infrastructure plans — including a move to a new stadium next season.

On the pitch, Rodgers has barely put a foot wrong.

Since arriving, he has overseen a 13-match unbeaten run, a statement start that has turned heads across the league.

Al Qadsiah have already recorded eye-catching wins over heavyweights like Al Nassr and Al Ittihad — no small feat in a competition now packed with global stars.

His squad isn’t short of pedigree either.

Italy striker Mateo Retegui leads the line, while former Porto midfielder Otávio adds creativity.

In goal stands Belgian international Koen Casteels, bringing top-level European experience.

The message is clear: Rodgers hasn’t come to Saudi Arabia for a quiet retirement project.

Enter “Sheikh Brendan”

Still, it wasn’t tactics or league tables that got people talking this week.

To mark Saudi Founding Day — a national holiday commemorating the establishment of the first Saudi state — Rodgers appeared in a promotional video shared on the club’s official X account.

Dressed in traditional Saudi attire and holding a rifle as part of the cultural display, he delivered a congratulatory message to the nation.

“I want to give my sincere congratulations to all of the people of Saudi Arabia,” he said.

“Saudi has a real rich heritage and a really exciting future ahead.”

The visuals were striking enough that many viewers assumed the clip had been digitally generated.

Comments poured in suggesting it “looked like AI,” with some fans admitting they initially believed it was fake before realising it was entirely authentic.

In an era where deepfakes and AI-generated clips flood timelines, seeing a former Liverpool and Celtic boss fully immersed in Gulf tradition — rifle and all — blurred the line between satire and reality.

A League Transforming Fast

Rodgers’ cultural cameo also reflects the broader transformation of Saudi football.

The Saudi Pro League has rapidly repositioned itself as a destination competition, attracting global talent and managers as part of the Kingdom’s wider Vision 2030 strategy.

Clubs have invested heavily in infrastructure, foreign stars, and marketing.

High-profile arrivals across the league have shifted global attention toward Saudi Arabia in a way few would have predicted a decade ago.

Rodgers, once adamant that “Celtic is Celtic” when turning down a previous Saudi approach after leaving Leicester, has now fully embraced the project. Timing, it seems, is everything.

From Doubt to Momentum

There’s an irony to the journey. After leaving Celtic F.C. under pressure, Rodgers has found stability and momentum in a league still carving out its global identity.

His first spell at Celtic delivered invincible domestic campaigns and multiple trophies.

His second was more turbulent, marked by public disagreements over recruitment and strategic direction.

Critics wondered whether he had lost his touch.

The unbeaten streak in Saudi suggests otherwise.

What’s Next?

The immediate goal is obvious: sustain momentum and push Al Qadsiah into serious contention near the top of the table.

A newly promoted side making a title challenge would be a powerful statement — for the club and for Rodgers’ managerial reputation.

Longer term, the question becomes whether this move is a strategic stepping stone or a final destination.

At 53, Rodgers still has years ahead of him.

Continued success in Saudi Arabia could reopen doors in Europe’s top leagues, especially if he proves adaptable in a rapidly evolving football environment.

For now, though, “Sheikh Brendan” seems content building something new — trophies first, viral moments second.

Summary

Brendan Rodgers has swapped Glasgow controversy for Saudi ambition, guiding Al Qadsiah through a 13-match unbeaten start while fully embracing local culture.

His appearance in traditional dress during a Founding Day celebration sparked online disbelief, with many mistaking the authentic video for AI.

Backed by Saudi Aramco and armed with a talented squad, Rodgers is rebuilding his reputation in a fast-rising league — and showing that reinvention can come in the most unexpected form.