The new Liverpool manager says his disappointing five months with the Royals could prove to be the turning point in his 20-year managerial career after taking charge at Anfield
Brendan Rodgers says his experience at Reading was crucial in his development as a manager as he now tries to bring success to Liverpool.The 39-year-old took over at the Madjeski Stadium after guiding Watford to safety in the Championship, but a disappointing run of results meant he left after only five months in December 2009.
Rodgers soon took the helm at Swansea City where he enjoyed his most successful period as a manager, but the Northern Irishman looks back at his mistakes at Reading as the most important moments of his career.
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He told Sky Sports: "I probably became more clinical after [leaving Reading]. I went in there looking to change things too quickly.
"I went in thinking: 'Right, the club want a new vision, a new philosophy,' and I felt if I stripped it down quickly and let it build then that would be OK.
"But what I realised after that was you are still in the business of winning.
"You talk about football, creativity and invention, but you have to win games - as simple as that.
"That was something very important to me on reflection when I came away from Reading.
"When I went in to Swansea, I knew very well I could still work with the same philosophy and identity, but I would have to get to the end point quicker.
"That allowed me to round off everything I do and how I work with players and it brought me success at Swansea.
"That six months at Reading over the course of a nearly 20-year period coaching and managing has been great learning for me.
"Hopefully that will be the defining moment of my career."
