Rodgers joins jet set

The south Wales outfit conclude its first top-flight season since 1983 against double cup finalists Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium next week knowing victory could secure an amazing top-10 finish.

It would be a quite staggering achievement and one that has Rodgers in contention for the LMA Manager of the Year award.

Although Roberto Mancini is almost certain to get it if, as expected, Manchester City seal the title, merely to be mentioned is gratifying for Rodgers, who has enjoyed two superb seasons at Swansea since taking charge in 2010.

"I am very humble if other managers would even consider me for that," he said.

"It is a tough gig being a manager at this level.

"I liken it to building an aircraft when it's flying and I applaud every single manager for the work they do.

"But in truth, whatever comes individually is of no real importance to me. All I want is the club to have success."

Success was denying Manchester United the landslide win it needed to make deep in-roads into the goal difference advantage that now looks set to crown City champions next weekend.

When the fixture list first came out in June, the 39-year-old must have feared what demands would be placed on Swansea in its final two matches.

As it turns out, Swansea are playing for pride and prize money, just as Rodgers intended.

"I always felt we needed to make it a 36-game season," he said.

"Then we could get here and had been an incredible season. That was the plan.

"For it to go as well as it has done represents a great achievement by the players.

"They have trained like animals every single day and really stepped it up this year.

"They have deserve everything they have got."