25/05/2005

O’Neill steps down as Celtic manager

Martin O'Neill today confirmed that he is to stand down as Celtic manager following this weekend’s Scottish Cup Final.

The 53-year-old said he was leaving the Parkhead hot seat for “personal reasons” and that he was “extremely sorry” to be leaving in such circumstances.

O’Neill’s wife Geraldine has been receiving treatment for cancer for the past year.

"We (the O'Neill family) have had discussions for some weeks as we awaited certain biopsy results," he said. "We have had suspicions in recent weeks and that has taken it to a different level but she wouldn't like me to go into too much detail. She has stood with me for quite some time so this is the right thing.

"I would like to thank sincerely Dermot Desmond and the Celtic board for giving me the opportunity to manage this fantastic club five years ago.”

Celtic chairman Brian Quinn said it was with "great regret" that O’Neill was leaving. "Whilst it will come as a great disappointment that he is leaving, we fully respect the reasons behind his decision,” he said. "He had proved himself one of the great Celtic managers and his place in the history of the club is assured."

The Celtic board confirmed that it will turn to Gordon Strachan to take over from Martin O’Neill, offering a rolling one-year contract to the former Coventry and Southampton manager.

The former Aberdeen player will begin his new job on June 1 following Celtic’s Scottish Cup Final appearance against Dundee United at Hampden Park on Saturday.

(MB/SP)

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