Tore Pedersen has insisted that it was Ronny Deila’s decision to quit Celtic rather than the other way around.
The statement on Wednesday morning confirmed the parting of the ways that most supporters felt was inevitable.
As Deila’s agent Pedersen would have been involved in the severance deal and selecting the wording that allows both parties to move on without losing face.
Speaking to The Sun Pedersen said: “He has not been sacked. Ron could have continued if he wanted. He has determined that this decision is the best for both him and the club.
“The noise from the press takes the focus away from what he believes it should be, namely the daily work of the team. The pressure has been so massive that it is difficult to continue in this environment.
“The expectations at Celtic are unrealistic. They sell the best players and cannot afford to pick players from the English Championship. It makes it difficult to combine with Champions League participation.
“They mainly compete with teams like Rosenborg for players.”
Davie Moyes has been installed as the early favourite to replace Deila with Neil Lennon and Roy Keane also in the frame.
With crowds at Celtic Park dropping at an alarming rate box office appeal will be an important aspect in the selection of a new manager making the prospect of another Deila type appointment unlikely.
Last night on Sky Sports Moyes talked up the job of managing Celtic but claimed that he won’t be making a decision on his future until the summer.
Lennon declared his interest in talking with the Celtic board when he was interviewed at the John Hartson golf day. Keane kept a distance from the job, stating the obvious that he didn’t want to be an assistant for the next 20 years.