Liverpool set to hire Rodgers as new manager

Associated Press Sports

updated 4:03 p.m. ET May 30, 2012

Adds details, quotes.

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) -Liverpool looks set to hire Brendan Rodgers as its new manager, with his current club Swansea saying it expects a deal to be finalized by Thursday.

Rodgers met with Liverpool officials on Wednesday, and Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said on the club's website that the manager had been offered the job and that the two sides were working to reach a deal.

"Brendan has informed us that he would like to take up their offer to manage Liverpool," Jenkins said. "We are trying to finalize (a deal) within the next 24 hours. Although we are very disappointed to lose such a talented, young British manager, we didn't wish to stand in his way.

Liverpool fired Kenny Dalglish after a disappointing season when it finished eighth in the Premier League. Liverpool will have to pay compensation to Swansea - reported to be in the region of 4 million pounds ($6.2 million) - because Rodgers has three years left on his contract at the Liberty Stadium.

Rodgers has had successful two-year spell at Swansea, guiding the Welsh club into the Premier League for the first time and then to an 11th-place finish last season.

"We wish Brendan every success in the future," Jenkins said. "We will always remain good friends and we thank him for all his hard work and passion at this football club over the past two years. We shall now refocus and quickly start the process of finding his replacement to continue the great work Brendan has carried out at this football club."

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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