Michael Nicholson has vowed Celtic will push on the ‘unity and strength’ fostered by the departed Ange Postecoglou.
Having now signed a four-year deal with Tottenham Hotspur, Postecoglou leaves the Parkhead club as treble winners with a guaranteed place in the Champions League group stage – a stark contrast to the turmoil he inherited in June 2021. Chief-executive Nicholson paid tribute to the 57-year-old’s work in restoring Celtic to a position of dominance and insists the future remains bright at Parkhead.
“It has been a pleasure working with Ange, a great football manager and a good man,” he said. “He has served the Club with such energy and determination and delivered a phenomenal level of success.
“I would like to thank him for all he has given us and I wish Ange and his family the very best for the future in everything they do.
“Of course, we wanted Ange to stay with us at Celtic and while there is real disappointment that we are losing him, he has decided he wants to look at a new challenge, which we respect.
“As Treble-winning champions, the club looks ahead with confidence to the future, with many exciting opportunities ahead. The club appreciates the tremendous support from Celtic fans this season and we will continue to build from this position of unity and strength.”
Meanwhile, Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell is adamant the club did everything possible to keep Postecoglou in Glasgow, but admits he understands his desire to head for the Premier League.
Lawwell said: “Against any measure, Ange has delivered a fantastic level of success to Celtic and we thank him for his brilliant contribution to the club during the past two years.
“We were delighted to bring Ange to Celtic. He is a special manager who has had success wherever he has been and someone who brought to the club attacking, stylish and winning football in the best traditions of Celtic.
“Of course, we are disappointed that Ange has decided to leave the club, and we did all we could to keep him with us well into the future, but he wanted to take this new opportunity and we wish Ange well in this and everything else he does.
“Now our focus is very much on ensuring we move forward positively and do all we can to ensure that we maintain our dominant position in Scottish football and also prepare for the exciting European challenges which lie ahead.”
Celtic’s search for Postecoglou’s replacement has already begun, and the club have been linked with the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Enzo Maresca, Jesse Marsch, Graham Potter and Kjetil Knutsen.
