Ange Postecoglou rejected a long-term contract offer at Celtic to become head coach of Tottenham Hotspur.

The 57-year-old turned down the chance to extend his successful stay in Glasgow to sign a four-year deal at Spurs, with the London club reportedly paying around £5m in compensation.

Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell said: “We are disappointed that Ange has decided to leave the club, and we did all we could to keep him with us well into the future, but he wanted to take this new opportunity and we wish Ange well in this and everything else he does.”

Postecoglou added: “The Celtic board have shown me tremendous support in every aspect of my time at Celtic and I will forever be grateful for this.

“They brought me to the club and I have worked so closely and so well with them for the past two years, I will always have a special relationship with them.

“They wanted me to extend my time at Celtic and while I am so respectful and understanding of their position, a new opportunity has been presented to me and it is one which I wanted to explore.”

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: “Ange brings a positive mentality and a fast, attacking style of play. He has a strong track record of developing players and an understanding of the importance of the link from the academy – everything that is important to our club. We are excited to have Ange join us as we prepare for the season ahead.”

The news comes just days after Postecoglou guided Celtic to an historic treble in his second season in charge, Saturday’s Scottish Cup victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle completing a world record eighth clean sweep of domestic honours.

He becomes Spurs’ fourth permanent boss, after Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte since Mauricio Pochettino was axed in 2019.

The Parkhead board has now turned its attentions to replacing the man who revitalised the Hoops in his two seasons at the helm, winning five of the six available trophies.

The club said in a statement: “The process of appointing Celtic’s next football manager is already underway. While we will aim to announce this appointment to supporters as soon as possible, our priority will be to appoint the best candidate to take the club forward.”

Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter and Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca are thought to be under consideration along with West Ham’s David Moyes and ex-Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch. Former captain Scott Brown has also been linked the vacancy but has only just moved into management at Fleetwood Town after hanging up his boots.

Although former treble-winning boss Brendan Rodgers is out of work having been sacked by Leicester City earlier this season, he seems cool on a return to the club he left in mid-season to join the Foxes.

Whoever gets the job will have big shoes to fill, such was Postecoglou’s impact at Celtic with some shrewd signings and tactical awareness.

Celtic’s star man this season has been Japanese ace Kyogo, and it would not come as a surprise should the new Spurs boss attempt to lure the free-scoring front man to London having brought him to Parkhead. The likes of captain Callum McGregor and Portuguese winger Jota could also be high on his shopping list.