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It was an honour two decades in the making. When Brendan Rodgers was crowned Manager of the Year by the League Managers’ Association this week it wasn’t simply recognition for the remarkable season he has masterminded at Anfield.

As the Liverpool boss was applauded by his peers at London’s historic Old Billingsgate it was also the realisation of what he had been working towards since taking his first steps into coaching in Reading’s youth ranks.

Rodgers was just 20 when a knee injury dashed his dreams of a distinguished playing career and he set out on the long and at times painful journey to reach the top of his profession.

Rodgers said of his award: “It was a huge privilege to receive it, especially being the first Liverpool manager to win the LMA award considering the great managers who have worked here.

“When I started out as a young coach working in the community scheme at Reading, my idea at that time was that I wanted to help people to improve and become better – to become better players and better people. That’s what I set out to do.

“The other factor for me was to earn respect. I never had any playing career of note.

“I moved into coaching and at that point all I wanted to do in my life was earn respect for my work.

“I didn’t necessarily want to be liked, but to be someone reputable in their field.

“The award the other night was a moment at which I have achieved that at this point in my life.

“To have gained the votes of the league managers and coaches throughout the LMA was a signal and a symbol of what I’ve wanted to do since I was a young coach.

“I was over the moon with that. I received it with great honour. Obviously I will continue to fight to hopefully win more awards because if I do that it means Liverpool have done well.”

Rodgers’ stock has never been higher and the rapid progress the 41-year-old has overseen at Anfield will be rewarded with a new long-term contract this summer.

It’s a far cry from four years ago when his prospects looked bleak. Out of work after being sacked by Reading, Rodgers applied for a job in League One but didn’t even get an interview.

The reputation he had built up for his coaching expertise during four years at Chelsea appeared to have been quickly forgotten.

He feared his managerial career was over, but the chance he had been waiting for finally arrived in July 2010 when Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins came knocking.

“There were certainly moments where I had doubts,” he said.

“At that time it was hard being out of work. All I wanted was an opportunity.

“I’d basically had one year as a manager – two six-month spells. One which had gone well at Watford and I left of my own accord and then one which didn’t go so well at Reading.

“I had earned my reputation as a coach, moved into management and before I knew it, it looked like it was going to be a difficult one.

“The numbers show that the percentage of managers who don’t get an opportunity after their first job is incredibly high.

“I always had self confidence and I always had belief in how I work – how I dealt with and managed people – but you still need the opportunity,” he said.

“That’s why I have got a huge amount of respect for Huw Jenkins. He did his homework on me.

“He didn’t disregard the 16-odd years I’d had as a young coach and a young manager for one disappointing spell where I just needed time and didn’t get it.

“He had the courage and the belief in me to give me that chance. That time between leaving Reading and going to Swansea was certainly a defining period for me in my career. It’s also what makes you.”

His impact in South Wales was instant – leading the Swans into the Premier League via the play-offs and then establishing them in the top flight.

The style in which that was achieved meant he was head-hunted as Kenny Dalglish’s successor two years ago and it has proved to be an inspired appointment.

He has transformed a squad which finished eighth having scoring 47 league goals in 2011/12 into title contenders.

Liverpool plundered 101 league goals this term – the club’s best tally since 1896 – as they finished just two points adrift of champions Manchester City.

The big prize slipped from their grasp in the closing weeks of the campaign but Rodgers insists he has no regrets.

“I never see the point in looking back and thinking about what could have been,” he added.

“I’ll go away and fully reflect on the season as a whole, but my over-riding feeling is one of pride in terms of where the club is at. I believe we have regained the soul of the club.

“At the LMA awards there were managers there who were around during the successful years of Liverpool and they were talking about how it looks like the Liverpool of old. They said they now come into games against us with that feeling. That’s great to hear and I take pride in that.

“It’s been a successful season. We achieved our target of Champions League qualification. We will go away determined to make it even more successful next season.”

“I am really ambitious. I want to be a winner. I am ambitious for the club – I always want my employer to be the best they can be.

“I came to Liverpool because I hoped I could be here for a number of years to build something and make the supporters proud of their club.

“That’s something that drives me on. It always will. It’s a really positive feeling. It’s one where you don’t want it to end.”