Enzo Maresca under Celtic consideration as Brendan Rodgers alternative while Jesse Marsch 'red flags' emerge

Brendan Rodgers would have to be persuaded into making a major life-style U-turn if Celtic are to lure him into a sensational return to the club as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement. And that could open the door for Manchester City No.2 Enzo Maresca to take the Parkhead job.

Record Sport understands the Northern Irishman has told friends and family he plans to take a year out of football’s front-line following his recent departure from Leicester City. And, after taking that prolonged sabbatical, Rodgers had been hoping to get back into management with a move abroad to one of Europe’s top leagues.

As recently as last week, Rodgers had no plans to make a quick return to the game unless he was offered a job that was ‘too good to turn down’. But the 50-year-old’s best laid plans may have changed dramatically on Monday when Postecoglou put pen to paper on a contract with Spurs to become Antonio Conte’s successor. Rodgers was immediately installed by bookies as the red hot favourite to take over from the Australian in Glasgow’s east end - four years after walking out of the job to move to the King Power.

That sparked a furious backlash from Celtic’s support and Rodgers is also aware that his soured relationship with the club’s fans might force major shareholder Dermott Desmond and chairman Peter Lawwell to look elsewhere. But Rodgers’ trophy laden record on the pitch at Parkhead, where he bagged back-to-back trebles in his first two seasons and sent the club on its way to a third successive clean sweep before leaving for Leicester, could prove too difficult for the hierarchy to ignore.

But if Rodgers can’t be persuaded, then the second-favourite for the job would be Maresca. Pep Guardiola’s assistant has backing within the