Celtic directors have revealed that they made serious attempts to keep treble-winning manager Ange Postecoglou at the club left the club after Tottenham announced the Australian as their new head coach.
Spurs wrote: "Now that the season and all domestic cup competitions have concluded, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as our new First Team Head Coach. Becoming the first Australian to manage in the Premier League, Ange will join us on 1 July on a four-year contract."
The 57-year-old becomes the successor to Antonio Conte as permanent boss after months of uncertainty at Hotspur Way with talks for Julian Nagelsmann and Arne Slot both breaking down. It ends a period of unrest for Daniel Levy, who wrote: “Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play.
READ MORE: Breaking: Ange Postecoglou confirmed as new Tottenham manager
"He has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy - everything that is important to our Club. We are excited to have Ange join us as we prepare for the season ahead."
Having sealed Celtic's treble with the Scottish Cup after beating Inverness Caladonian Thistle on Saturday. It means that having taken over 15 points behind Rangers, Postecoglou leaves Glasgow after two years, winning the league twice. As a hugely popular figure, Celtic's statement praises the outgoing head coach.
Chief Executive, Michael Nicholson said: “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.
“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.”
Celtic Chairman Peter Lawwell added: “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.”
Club captain Callum McGregor also had a parting message for the boss. “It has been great to work with the gaffer over the past two seasons and to achieve the success that we have, especially achieving yet another Treble at the weekend," he said.
“In fact, to win five out of six domestic trophies is a tremendous achievement and that is testament to the real focus and relentlessness of the manager, the players and our whole backroom team who have all worked so hard.
“I thank all our supporters again for what they have given us this year. The scenes at Hampden and Celtic Park, when we celebrated our success together will stay with me forever.
“We have delivered something very special to our fans and done it, under the manager’s direction by playing an exciting and attractive brand of football. As all the players do, I wish Ange great success in his next challenge."
READ NEXT:
Ange Postecoglou drops hint over how his Tottenham will play and revealed what he would never do
What Tottenham ace Harry Kane has said about transfer abroad amid Karim Benzema Real Madrid exit
Why Ange Postecoglou is not another Nuno Espirito Santo if Levy makes him next Tottenham manager
Ange Postecoglou could hand Daniel Levy the solution to his constant Tottenham manager mistake
What Celtic stars have said about 'awesome force' Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham eye next manager
