Brendan Rodgers is set to be appointed as manager of Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah, according to reports.

The former Liverpool and Leicester City boss, 52, has been free to speak to clubs after an unceremonious exit from Celtic in October.

Rodgers left Glasgow under a cloud after publicly scrutinising the Hoops hierarchy and their supposed lack of work in the transfer market, before principal shareholder Dermot Desmond branded him 'divisive, misleading and self-serving' in an astonishing broadside. 

Now, the Northern Irishman is set to make a speedy return to the dugout and is already on his way to the Middle East as terms are finalised on a deal, as per The Athletic.

Al Qadsiah, who sit fifth in the SPL behind Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Tawwoun and Al Ahli, only sacked their manager Michel Gonzalez on Sunday but promised they would 'move swiftly' to appoint a replacement.

The process is being driven by former Rangers CEO James Bisgrove, who holds the same role at the Saudi club, and sporting director Carlos Anton.

The club are said to have interviewed numerous candidates across Europe but have chosen the Northern Irishman.

Al Qadsiah are keen to add trophies to their cabinet and Rodgers' experience of winning at Celtic and Leicester are understood to be key factors in the decision. The 52-year-old also came close to winning Liverpool a Premier League title in 2013-14.

The Saudi club, who are owned by oil company Aramco, only gained promotion to the top tier last season but have made gains ahead of teams such as Al Ittihad and Al Ettifaq this campaign.

They boast stars such as Italy striker Mateo Retegui, former Porto midfielder Otavio and Belgian international stopper Koen Casteels, and are set to move to a new stadium next season.

Rodgers revealed he turned down a move to Saudi before returning to Celtic in 2023.

'I spoke to a few clubs once I'd left Leicester, I spoke to a team in Saudi, but it just didn't feel right,' Rodgers said at the time. 'If I wanted to stay in the Premier League, I could've stayed in the Premier League, but Celtic is Celtic.'

His return to Parkhead, however, ended in controversy after he had been critical of  recruitment and the level of investment in this summer's transfer window.

Celtic spent £13.3million on signings - around half of what they accrued from selling important players - and the club were toiling both domestically and in Europe, crashing out of the Champions League Playoff to Kairat Almaty.

Rodgers had also become embroiled in a battle with officials at the club, accusing  one of them of a 'cowardly' act when it was claimed that Celtic had been briefing against him in the media.

He resigned following the club's 3-1 defeat to Hearts but billionaire Desmond sent a dramatic parting shot in the way of the Northern Irishman.

'His words and actions since [a recent meeting] have been divisive, misleading, and self-serving,' Desmond's statement read.

'They have contributed to a toxic atmosphere around the club and fuelled hostility towards members of the executive team and the board.'

Rodgers returned to Celtic after a largely successful spell with Leicester, during which he led them to consistent European qualification and won them an FA Cup and Community Shield. 

They were relegated during Rodgers' last season at the helm, but he was sacked before their fate was sealed.