Peter Lawwell has resigned as Celtic CEO with a June departure date.
After more than 17 years running every aspect of the club he has stepped down halfway through a season that has turned into a complete disaster. Hopes of a 10th successive title are over, in the autumn the club lost four consecutive home matches for the first time since the fifties while being knocked out of three cup competitions before the end of November.
Two weeks ago Lawwell gave a very unconvincing video address to supporters giving a laboured apology over the club’s trip to Dubai, fortunately that was his last action as Celtic manager.
The future of Neil Lennon will now be the source of intense speculation with the Irishman enjoying unflinching support from his CEO, without Lawwell it is hard to see the current manager surviving much longer.
Was anyone at Celtic involved in 5 way agreement?
PL- No and I’ve never seen it#ticagm
— Celtic Underground* (@celticrumours) November 27, 2019
This morning The Daily Business Group reports:
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has resigned and will be replaced by Dominic McKay from the Scottish Rugby Union. The board confirmed this morning that Mr Lawwell had tendered his resignation nd will retire from his role on 30 June.
Mr Lawwell joined the Club as chief executive in 2003 and has since overseen a period of unprecedented success which has delivered 29 trophies to the Club, including 13 leagues titles, four domestic Trebles and participation in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on three occasions.
The directors confirmed that Mr McKay, the current chief operating fficer of the Scottish Rugby Union, will become CEO and a director of the company with effect from 1 July.
Commenting on the announcement, chairman, Ian Bankier said: “On behalf of the directors, shareholders and Celtic supporters all around the world, we would like to thank Peter for his huge commitment to the Company as chief executive fficer. Peter has served Celtic with distinction for over 17 years during which time, the Club has enjoyed unprecedented success both on and off the field.
“I could not have hoped to work with a more able and skilful chief executive – someone with Celtic in his soul, who has had the club’s best interests at the heart of every decision he has made. He will be regarded as a man who has played a pivotal role in our history and we should always respect the huge impact he has had on the club.
“Whilst we accept Peter’s decision with great sadness, the club is delighted to announce the appointment of Dominic McKay who will take over the role of chief executive officer upon Peter’s departure.
“Dominic is an experienced executive of the highest calibre, who has been responsible for delivering impressive commercial and sporting success in his current role with Scottish Rugby and as chairman of the Guinness Pro14 League.”
While Celtic have enjoyed domestic domination in recent years that was largely driven by the appointment of Brendan Rodgers after Lawwell’s appointment, Ronny Deilla had half emptied the stadium of supporters.
Over the last seven years Celtic have only reached the group stage of the Champions League twice- repeatedly losing out to unseeded opponents with far smaller budgets.
Domestically Lawwell steps down with Celtic trailing by 23 points, the biggest gap this century. Since he was appointed CEO in October 2003 the club has won just one UEFA knock-out tie, against Barcelona a few months later.
In recent seasons Maribor, Malmo, AEK Athens, Cluj and Ferencvaros have knocked Celtic out of Champions League qualifiers, over the last 12 months Copenhagen, Ferencvaros and Sparta Prague have all won at Celtic Park despite Lawwell authorising a £35m spend on players.