‘That’s like climbing Kilimanjaro twice!’ – Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers anticipates tough opening day clash with Manchester City

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Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers has just completed a charity climb of Kilimanjaro, but is expecting an equally tough challenge when his side faces Manchester City on the opening day of the season.

The newly-promoted Welsh side travels to Eastlands for their first Premier League fixture, which promises to be a difficult baptism in England’s top flight.

And Rodgers, who raised more than £15,000 on the charity climb, is eagerly anticipating the difficult and challenging campaign ahead.

“That’s like climbing Kilimanjaro twice!” joked Rodgers, according to Wales Online.

“It’s incredible – I had climbed the highest free-standing mountain in the world and then I had a text that I had to go to Manchester City away.

“And with Manchester United and Liverpool as the last two games we’d thought we’d finish it off easily. But that’s the Premier League where there are no better places to test yourself as an individual or as a team.

“Every player wants to be a Premier League player and, when you get that chance, these are the fixtures that you look for.

“It’s true for the players and it’s the same for me as a coach – I’m only 38 and to get the chance to manage in the Premier League will be a fantastic experience and something we can all look forward to.”

Rodgers also indicated that he is no stranger to big-spending City, having been involved in talks to assist Roberto Mancini prior to taking the job at Swansea.

He added: “I was party to talks there before I went to Swansea so I have a wee bit of knowledge in relation to the club and the project they’ve entered into.

“And it’s incredible what they want to achieve over the next few years. So again, it’s something to really look forward to.”