Brendan Rodgers is the new reserve team manager at Chelsea

Rodgers, formerly academy director at Reading, moves up after acting as youth team coach at Stamford Bridge for the last two years.

"It is my job to work closely with Jose Mourinho and to support him and the first team," said the 33-year-old.

"It is also important to understand the youth sides and to be the link between the academy and the first team."

I hope he can progress in his career. He is a good lad Jose Mourinho

Rodgers admits he thrives on his work and envisages being the number one himself some day.

"My wife says I am the only man who loves going back into work after a holiday.

"It is something I love doing and I am abitious to be successful.

"Maybe in a few years I will feel the need to go out and have a go myself."

Senior boss Mourinho certainly believes the Northern Ireland man is on the right path.

"I like everything in him. He is ambitious and does not see football very differently from myself," Mourinho told BBC NI's Season Ticket programme.

"He is open, likes to learn and likes to communicate.

"I hope he can progress in his career. He is a good lad."