Celtic have insisted they did everything they could to keep Treble winning head coach Ange Postecoglou after the Australian was confirmed as Tottenham’s new manager.
Spurs confirmed the news on Tuesday morning, tweeting: ‘We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as our new head coach on a four-year contract.’
Tottenham have been searching for a new manager since sacking Antonio Conte in March, with Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason taking up roles as interim coaches in the meantime.
Postecoglou’s appointment comes days after the 57-year-old guided Celtic to the domestic Treble, with the Bhoys lifting the Scottish Cup on Saturday.
Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell thanked Postecoglou for his brilliant contribution during his two years at Parkhead, adding the the club had tried to convince him to stay.
Ange Postecoglou has left Celtic to become Tottenham’s new manager on a four-year deal
Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell thanked Postecoglou for his ‘brilliant contribution’ to the club
‘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,’ Lawwell said in a statement.
‘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 confirmed the process of appointing their next manager has already begun.
The Parkhead club said it aims to announce this appointment to supporters as soon as possible, vowing to appoint the best candidate to take the club forward.
‘It has been a pleasure working with Ange, a great football manager and a good man. He has served the club with such energy and determination and delivered a phenomenal level of success,’ said Michael Nicholson, Celtic chief executive.
‘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.
Celtic have vowed to appoint the best candidate to build on this season’s Treble success
‘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.’
Postecoglou’s move to the Scottish giants had been widely mocked in 2021, given his lack of experience in European football having coached in Japan and Australia for much of his career.
The Australian silenced those doubters by winning five out of the six domestic trophies on offer, while implementing an attractive style of football as well as flaunting a savvy knowledge of the transfer market with inspired signings.
Postecoglou has thanked the Celtic board and supporters for their support during his two years at the club.
‘I would like to sincerely thank everyone at the club for everything they have given me. In particular, Dermot, Peter and Michael and the Celtic Board have shown me tremendous support in every aspect of my time at Celtic and I will forever be grateful for this,’ Postecoglou said.
‘They brought me to the Club and I have worked so closely and so well with them for the past two years, I will always have a special relationship with them.
‘They wanted me to extend my time at Celtic and while I am so respectful and understanding of their position, a new opportunity has been presented to me and it is one which I wanted to explore.
Postecoglou has thanked the Celtic board and fans for their support during his time in charge
‘It was an honour to be asked to be Celtic manager and during my two years I have given everything I have to deliver success to our supporters. Culminating in the Treble at the weekend, my players and backroom team have been brilliant for me on this journey.
‘They have given us all some fantastic moments through their energy and effort, creating real quality, winning football.
‘Our supporters have been magnificent to me and I thank them for the way they have embraced me during the past two years. My ambition was always to give our fans a team they could be proud of, a team people talked about and I think we have achieved that.
‘Celtic is a phenomenal football club, and so much more – and I will forever be a supporter of this great institution. I wish everyone connected with Celtic nothing but continued success.’
Former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch is among the managers to have been linked with the now vacant Celtic job.
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