Norwegian Deila to leave Celtic in summer
Club say it was the manager's decision
Celtic are in line to win fifth consecutive title
Do you think Ronny Deila is right to stand down as Celtic manager? Who would you like to see replace him in the summer? Davie Moyes, Neil Lennon, Roy Keane and Michael O'Neill are some of the names being mentioned so far. Let us know using the hashtag #bbcsportscot on Twitter or on Facebook., external
Celtic fans grew to love the "Ronny Roar", Deila's fist-pumping salute to supporters at the end of a match.
He gave it its first rendition in Scotland in November 2014 after Celtic came from behind to beat Aberdeen at Pittodrie to go top of the league, with Virgil van Dijk scoring a last-minute winner.
Image source, SNSRonny Deila engages in some post-match bonding with the Celtic fans
Richard Wilson
BBC Scotland
When Ronny Deila was appointed two years ago, his background was pored over. There was promise in the notion of a coach who focused on players' individual development and a manager whose Stromsgodset side upset the odds in winning the Norwegian title playing a high-tempo, high-pressing, modern brand of football.
For both Deila and Celtic, the question is why that work in Norway was not reflected in the Celtic teams he presided over. The Norwegian might come to reflect that he was not assertive or authoritative enough to impose his ideas fully.
An element of compromise is necessary in management, but too much becomes a weakness. Deila had a reputation for being focused on fitness and a high energy approach; his Celtic teams did not match that promise. Deila never seemed to fill the role with his own personality or strength of will, instead it seemed to constrict him.
Having started to compromise his tactical approach, in part because the squad did not provide enough players with the right attributes to play that way, Deila should have learned to go further and become more pragmatic at times. Yet he remained committed to an attacking outlook, one that cost him regularly in Europe. He seemed a manager at odds with himself.
Image source, SNSKris Commons reacts angrily to being substituted in the 3-1 defeat by Molde in the Europa League last October
Champions League qualification is of huge financial importance to Celtic but the Scottish champions failed to reach the group stages when they lost 4-3 to Sweden's Malmo after getting past Starnan and Qarabag.
In the Europa League they drew three and lost three of their group games, finishing behind Fenerbahce, Ajax and Molde.
Celtic lead Aberdeen by eight points with five games to go in the league, but in January they lost to Ross County at Hampden in the League Cup semi-final and on Sunday they lost on penalties to old rivals Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Image source, SNSAjax striker Arkadiusz Milik scores his side's equaliser at Celtic Park in November 2015 before the Dutch won their Europa League match 2-1
Deila arrived in Glasgow in June 2014 having won the Norwegian championship with Stromsgodset in his homeland. He led Celtic to a fourth consecutive league title and lifted the Scottish League Cup with a 3-0 victory over Dundee United in his debut season.
Things didn't go so well in European competition, however.
In Champions League qualifying, Celtic lost 6-1 to Legia Warsaw but were given a 3-0 win and a place in the next round after the Poles were found to have fielded an ineligible player. In August they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Maribor of Slovenia and dropped into the Europa League where they reached the last 16 before losing to Inter Milan.
Image source, SNSCentre-half Virgil van Dijk was sent off in Celtic's defeat at the San Siro
Football
Image source, Getty ImagesCeltic favourite Henrik Larsson has refused to rule out a return to the club as manager.
The Helsingborgs boss was approached by the Scottish champions in 2014 and has been touted as a potential replacement for Ronny Deila.
"It's nothing I think about at the moment," Larsson told Expressen., external "I'm only focusing on Helsingborgs IF. If I say this or if I say that it could be wrong. What I can say is that I'm not thinking about it now."
Former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner told BBC Radio 5live: "I think there's a group (of candidates). There's a lot of speculation around David (Moyes), obviously Neil Lennon because he is out of a job, he was there before - whether you would go back to somebody who was there who went away, I'm not so sure. Are they looking for somebody fresh?
"Whoever they bring in, they will have to give him money and that is the big challenge for the board."
Image source, SNSPat Bonner reckons the Celtic board will have to find money to help the new manager reshape the squad
Richard Wilson
BBC Scotland
John Hartson says Celtic need a strong manager to replace Ronny Deila in the summer. He cited Neil Lennon as an ideal candidate, with his experience of managing the club before. Hartson also said that he believes Alan Stubbs and Brendan Rodgers will be among the names considered. The former Celtic striker said that Deila lost too many big matches during his time in charge and added that the club might need to "loosen the purse strings" on the transfer budget if Celtic want to attract a leading manager.
Image source, SNSJohn Hartson thinks Alan Stubbs and Brendan Rodgers will be considered for the Celtic hot seat
Chief executive Peter Lawwell was instrumental in bringing Deila from Norway in the summer of 2014.
He has described the manager today as "a man of real humility, someone of tremendous character".
"I personally wish him nothing but success for the future," said Lawwell.
"In the immediate future that means the Scottish Premiership title. Ronny has won it already once before and I know everyone at the club and our supporters will be right behind him and the team as he aims to do it again and make it five in a row for Celtic.
"This is what we all must do now as supporters and together focus fully on achieving another title victory. If we achieve this we will aim to build again next season and make it many more.
"I would like to take this chance to thank our fans for all they have given the club this year. Celtic has been the dominant club in Scotland for many years and I can assure our supporters we will do everything we can to ensure that Celtic continues to be the biggest and best in Scottish football and meets every challenge which lies ahead."
Image source, SNSPeter Lawwell and major shareholder Dermot Desmond will be key figures in choosing a replacement for Ronny Deila
Celtic chairman Ian Bankier praised Deila in a statement issued by the club.
He said: "Ronny is a fine man with strong values of honesty and integrity. He has had some success, which we have enjoyed, and I know all our fans will back Ronny and the players as he looks to bring us more success in the shape of a second League title.
"We are all Celtic supporters and we all know that there can be disappointments in football, but I know Ronny is a man who has given his very best to the job and someone who will always care passionately about the club.
"The club, as always, will give Ronny our full support until the end of the season. We will then make a decision regarding our next manager with the objective of remaining Scotland's pre-eminent club. I thank Ronny and once again wish him well for the future."
Image source, SNSChairman Ian Bankier believes Ronny Deila has given his all to bring success to Celtic
Football
Richard Wilson
BBC Scotland
Image source, Getty ImagesNeil Lennon says he would be open to a return as Celtic manager in the summer and would be willing to speak to the club's board.
"I would definitely be interested. I'm not promoting myself for it but giving an answer," he said.
Lennon - who was coincidentally speaking at a news conference when the news broke - is 3/1 to replace Ronny Deila, behind 6/4 favourite David Moyes.
Football
Rumours have been rife since Celtic lost to Rangers in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final that the Norwegian's tenure was coming to a close...
"There have been some disappointments and times when we have not achieved what we had hoped for and I'm realistic and honest enough to admit that, but I know that the players, myself and my backroom team have always given everything we had to bring success to our supporters.
"I would like to thank everyone who has supported me so well at the club. The fans have been magnificent during the past two years. Our fans are the heartbeat of the club, they have always given myself and the team such amazing support and always created such a great atmosphere. We have always given our best for them and I will always be a Celtic supporter too.
"I also want to thank (major shareholder) Dermot Desmond, (chairman) Ian Bankier, (chief executive) Peter Lawwell, the players and my staff. They have given me everything.
"My total focus now is on retaining our Premiership title and making it five-in-a-row for our great club and proving that we are the best in the country. Myself and the players will be giving everything we can to achieve this and I know that starting on Sunday we must all unite and drive the club on and really go for what we all want as Celtic supporters - to be Scottish champions once again."
Football
Image source, Getty ImagesRonny Deila, who previously led Stromsgodset to the Norwegian title, took over at Celtic after the departure of Neil Lennon in 2014.
He led Celtic to the league title, while they also lifted the Scottish League Cup, in his first season. On the downside, they lost to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in last season's Scottish Cup semi-final and to Ross County in this campaign's League Cup last four.
Deila's side also lost to Malmo in a play-off to reach the Champions League group stage before finishing bottom of their Europa League section.
Football
Celtic's failings in Europe have undermined much of Ronny Deila's tenure at the club. It makes pretty grim reading...
Image source, .However, in a statement Deila announced that he will, in fact, be leaving the club at the end of the current campaign.
He said: "It is vital that the club comes first and instead of me being the focus, hopefully now the team and the club can be the focus as we enter this final important period of the season.
"It was an absolute privilege to be named manager of Celtic, such a wonderful football club, and I have enjoyed my time here immensely. I will never forget the welcome I received almost two years ago at Celtic Park from so many fans.
"When I joined Celtic I knew I was coming to one of the world's great football clubs.
"There have been some great times and I am delighted that we have brought some trophies to the club.
"I was delighted in my first year to bring our fans a League and Cup double and enjoy some European nights at Celtic Park, and I am pleased this season to be well in contention to win another Premiership title."
Football
As recently as February, the 40-year-old Norwegian told BBC Scotland that he would never quit as Celtic manager...
Celtic manager Ronny Deila is to leave the club at the end of the season. The Scottish champions may be on course to win a fifth consecutive league title but disappointing results in the domestic cups and in Europe have played a part in his exit.