Celtic have announced that Gordon Strachan has decided to stand down as
manager, after the Glasgow club lost out to rivals Rangers in the SPL title
race on Sunday.


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Strachan has been linked with the Sunderland job.

The club announced on their website that Strachan - who won three titles and
three domestic cups in his four years in charge - had decided to step down
just a day after losing his grip on the Scottish Premier League trophy.

Strachan said: "I have enjoyed my time immensely at Celtic and clearly I will
be sad to leave this great club."

Strachan refused to discuss his future immediately after their final game of
the season, a 0-0 draw with Hearts. But his departure is no surprise after he
failed to gain total support from a number of Celtic fans despite his success
at home and in Europe, where he twice led Celtic into the last 16 of the
Champions League.

Strachan added: ''As I have said before, Celtic is a special club, with
special supporters.

''There is no club like it and it has been an absolute honour and privilege
to be the club's manager for the past four years.

''We have done all we can to bring success to the club and we were delighted
to deliver three SPL titles, other domestic silverware, as well as making
some great progress in Europe.

''It is just disappointing that we did not manage the fourth championship.
However, the players can hold their heads high in terms of what they have
done for the club in recent years.

''I would like to thank the Celtic board for all the support they have given
me during the past four years, in particular Dermot Desmond, John Reid, Peter
Lawwell and former chairman Brian Quinn - I could not have asked for any more
support.

''I thank all the players I have worked with at the club and, of course, my
backroom team for the backing and assistance which they have given me.

''I thank the fans too for the tremendous support which they have given both
myself and the players. I wish Celtic and our supporters nothing but success
for the future.''

Strachan's success came despite having a much smaller transfer budget and
wage bill than was afforded to predecessor Martin O'Neill.

Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell paid tribute to the former Southampton
and Coventry boss, who has been linked with the vacant Sunderland post.

Lawwell said: "Gordon has given everything to the club and worked tirelessly
to bring success to Celtic.

"He has achieved so much at both domestic and European levels.

"It has been a pleasure to work closely with Gordon and he leaves the club
with all our best wishes.

"We thank Gordon for his commitment and achievements at the club and we also
thank our fans for backing us all the way this season.

"Our fans know how to support their club and we will be doing all we can to
once again bring back the title to Celtic Park, something which our support
deserves."

Motherwell's Mark McGhee, Burnley's Owen Coyle, West Bromwich Albion's Tony
Mowbray and Dundee United's Craig Levein are the early frontrunners to step
into the hotseat.
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