Celtic has begun its search for a new chief executive after the club's board announced Mr Ian McLeod would leave Parkhead by the end of the month.
Mr McLeod is to step down when his contract expires on April 29th and has already been linked with a switch to Leeds, which are looking for a successor to Mr Peter Ridsdale.
He had also been embroiled in a spat with the Bank of Scotland Premier League (SPL) this month over the timing of the final Old Firm fixture of the season.
Mr McLeod had issued a statement claiming there were safety fears surrounding the Ibrox fixture on Sunday because it was so close to Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final decider with Boavista.
He and manager Mr Martin O'Neill claimed the SPL was biased towards Rangers but was forced to make an embarrassing climb-down when Strathclyde Police insisted the game go ahead.
Celtic chairman Mr Brian Quinn said Mr McLeod's departure had been an amicable one.
"Ian has made a significant contribution to the club over the past two years and the board is grateful for his work during what have been challenging times," he said.
Mr McLeod added: "I have been in discussion with the board in recent weeks and after careful consideration we have agreed that I will leave Celtic when my contract lapses at the end of April. I wish Celtic every success in the future, particularly Martin O'Neill and the team as they continue their committed challenge for the SPL championship and a place in the UEFA Cup final."
Mr McLeod was appointed on March 2nd, 2001, as the successor to Mr Allan MacDonald.
The Harvard graduate has spent much of his two-year tenure at Parkhead trying to engineer a move out of the SPL to a bigger, more lucrative league.
The English Premiership was the preferred choice, although plans for a so-called Atlantic League for big clubs from smaller countries was also mooted. Neither scheme, which would also have involved Rangers leaving the SPL, managed to get off the ground.
He has previously been linked with Elland Road and his name is well known in Yorkshire as he joined the board of Leeds-based Asda in 1997.
