Peter Lawwell has announced that he will be retiring from his role as Celtic Chief Executive in June of this year having spent seventeen years in the position.
The club have also confirmed the Dominic McKay, Chief Executive of Scottish Rugby, will replace Lawwell.
In a statement on the Celtic website early this morning, The Scottish Champions confirmed that Lawwell would be retiring, leaving a role in which he has undoubtedly delivered an enormous amount of commercial success, even if he has undermined a few managers in that time.
#CelticFC today announced that Chief Executive Peter Lawwell has decided to retire from his position at the end of June 2021, having held this role for the past 17 years.
Everyone at #CelticFC would like to thank Peter for his monumental contribution to the club’s success. 🏆🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 29, 2021
Lawwell’s legacy will be predominately about the success of the last seventeen years, a period that supporters have thoroughly enjoyed. However, in his role, he has had an enormous amount of responsibility in footballing decisions which his successor must not have.
Celtic’s restructure should build on from years of success, even if the league title this year appears to be out of reach. A new manager is likely to be McKay’s first job as the transition of power begins today.
The Quadruple Treble winners make no mention of Neil Lennon’s future in the early morning statement, suggesting that he will stay until the end of the season.
Celtic period of transition has begun. Hopefully we come out the other side stronger and hungrier.
Here is the full statement from the official Celtic FC website, formally announcing the news that Peter Lawwell will retire at the end of this season:
Celtic Football Club today announced that Chief Executive Peter Lawwell has decided to retire from his position at the end of June 2021, having held this role for the past 17 years.
Peter 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 league titles, four domestic Trebles and participation in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on three occasions.
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell commented: “It has been an enormous privilege to have served the Club and our supporters for more than 17 years – a wonderful honour to have been part of an institution I have loved and supported all my life.
“I will always be very proud of what we have achieved together and it has been a particular privilege to be involved throughout a period in the Club’s history which has brought immense domestic success – as well as so many great European nights at Celtic Park.
“Everything we have aimed for and achieved has been for everyone associated with the Club. I have greatly valued my involvement with Celtic supporters in Scotland and around the world. In particular, I have appreciated the advice and support offered by all our main supporters groups across Scotland, Ireland and beyond. I would like to thank them all for the passion, support and commitment they continue to bring to Celtic.
“Celtic’s reputation is built on three pillars – success on the field of play, sound business management, and a real and sincere charitable ethos, building on the Club’s founding traditions. My objective has always been to maintain and strengthen all three in order to ensure that the Club is both successful in the short-term and in the long-term, and is handed down to future generations in the best possible condition. In every aspect of our affairs, we have strived to maintain the highest of standards.
“I first discussed the possibility of my retirement with the Chairman last year and we were keen to ensure an orderly handover to a new CEO once we had found the right candidate. Now that the process to select Dominic McKay as my successor is complete, I feel the time is now right to announce my retirement at the end of this season. I believe the Club have identified an excellent successor with the highest integrity who will bring substantial experience and enthusiasm to the role. I wish him every success in the future.
“Dominic will inherit a first-class executive team and a superb group of colleagues. I am grateful to them all for the backing I have received during the past 17 years. I have also owed a great deal to the unstinting guidance and support from Dermot Desmond, someone who has been so fundamental to our success on and off the field. In addition, I thank our present Chairman Ian Bankier, previous Chairmen and board members I have worked with, as well as Neil Lennon and the other five football managers and their backroom teams and, of course, so many great players at Celtic Park across the years who have given me and our supporters so much pleasure through a sustained period of success. I know that they will provide the same unwavering support and help to Dominic as they help to build on our past success.
“It was obvious that the Club would be facing a natural period of transition at the end of this season regardless of any outcomes. Like every Celtic supporter, I am disappointed that, so far, this season has not worked out in the way we all hoped for, despite our best efforts. My goal will be to work with Dominic in order to make changes as smoothly as possible and maintain a focus on continued success on the field of play. Together, our main priority will now be to ensure a seamless transition.
“It has been a difficult year for everyone in so many ways and I just wanted to take this opportunity once again to wish our supporters well. Even in a period of such adversity, upheaval and uncertainty, which our fans have faced in their own lives and communities, so many supporters have been with us again in such huge numbers. I sincerely thank all those supporters who have stayed with us.
“Celtic will always be the biggest and the best club in Scotland and our supporters will always be everything to our success. We need our fans with us to achieve that success.
“While retiring from Celtic in the summer, I will now look forward to other challenges. Inevitably, the role I have occupied also creates pressures and demands which are not always confined to me alone. So, above all, I thank my wife and family for their support and encouragement at all times. We will all continue to support the Club with the same love and passion we always have.”
Celtic Chairman Ian Bankier said: “On behalf of the Celtic Board of Directors, I would like to thank Peter for his monumental contribution to Celtic and its success during the past 17 years. Peter has given his life to our cause during his term of office, delivering a period of unprecedented success to the Club on and off the field. 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.
“It is, of course, with great sadness that we have accepted his decision to leave the Club but we understand and appreciate that he considers now is the right time for him to leave and we have been succession planning for this day for some time.
“Peter’s expertise, intelligence and judgement has guided Celtic brilliantly through the past 17 years and as a Chairman, 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.
“With Peter’s departure, we must also recognise the huge role he has played in promoting Celtic’s interests at a European football level, particularly through his positions on the European Club Association Board and the most senior UEFA committees. He was elected to these posts entirely on merit, and his work and efforts in this area have been of great benefit, both to Celtic and Scottish football in general.
“I wish Peter and his family nothing but the very best for the future.”
Principal Shareholder Dermot Desmond added: “When Peter told me he was considering retirement, I did my utmost, unsuccessfully, to dissuade him. Celtic Football Club owes a major debt of gratitude to Peter Lawwell, who has made a unique and transformative contribution to our Club. I have been privileged to work with many CEOs and Peter ranks up there with the best of them.
“Over the years, Peter was sought after by many English Premier League clubs, but his love and commitment to the Club and Scotland were more important to him. Since 2003, under Peter’s tutelage, Celtic has achieved incomparable domestic success and the number of trophies is unsurpassed by any other Club in Europe.
“Peter’s expertise and professionalism have been recognised by UEFA where he has been an outstanding contributor, to the benefit of both Celtic and Scottish football. I have had a first-class relationship with Peter over the years, speaking daily and often multiple times daily. The Club and I will miss his wisdom, energy and unwavering devotion to Celtic FC. I cannot adequately express my thanks and appreciation to Peter for all he has done for Celtic FC.”
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