Defiant Celtic managing director Fergus McCann last night insisted that Wim Jansen's decision to quit as coach less than 48 hours after guiding the club to the league title will not diminish their appetite for success.

The Dutchman finally ended weeks of speculation over his future yesterday by publicly announcing his departure just one year into his three-year contract.

It was a massive blow to the Parkhead club's huge support which was relishing the prospect of seeing Jansen lead his newly-crowned team into the Champions' League next season.

It is believed that a breakdown of communication with general manager Jock Brown, plus McCann's reluctance to match Rangers' buying power in the transfer market, prompted Jansen to exercise his getout clause in his contract.

But McCann, who brought in Jansen to replace Tommy Burns to general surprise last summer, insisted that no one individual was bigger than the club.

He said: "Celtic has risen through adversity and has become stronger and stronger every season for the last four years.

"I have no doubt this will continue next season as the club moves onwards and upwards.

"Many people said it was wrong to appoint a new coach this time last year and there were headlines screaming criticism at the appointment of Wim Jansen.

"But despite all the noise, Celtic has kept its eye on the ball, the League and League Cup have been won, a 60,000-seat stadium will have 50,000 season ticket holders and the scene is set for the next exciting stage in Celtic's history.

"All of this was not the result of the efforts of one season, or of one man," added McCann. "I want to pay tribute to all those at the club, especially the players, all of whom have worked so hard for success, some for four years or more."

"Individuals will always come and go but the legend that is Celtic continues."

Despite playing in two World Cup finals for Holland in the 1970s, Jansen was relatively unknown when he arrived at Parkhead to replace the sacked Burns last July.

But he has been a huge success in his first season in Scotland, winning the League Cup in November before finally wresting the championship away from Rangers with Saturday's 2-0 home win over St Johnstone.

Managing director McCann insists that Jansen had originally only wanted a one-year deal but had agreed the longer deal with both sides having the option of terminating the contract after 12 months.

However, he hinted that Jansen's decision to go public with his get-out clause may have had something to do with the club's unwillingness to persuade him to stay.

McCann said: "The club agreed a three-year term, with the option for both sides to terminate the contract after one year.

"This was one of the key elements of the agreement, as well as a commitment to maintain its content confidential."

"The decision Wim has taken is one the board also believes is best for the club.

"On behalf of everyone at Celtic, I would like to thank Wim for his time at the club and wish him all the best for the future."

Paul McStay, the last Celtic captain to lift the championship trophy in 1988 before Tommy Boyd did so again on Saturday, believes what should have been a period of unstinting celebration at the club has been soured by Jansen's exit.

"It was a fantastic day on Saturday and something the players and fans richly deserved," he said.

"The most important thing for everyone was to enjoy winning the championship and look forward to playing in the Champions' League next year.

"There has been a lot of hard work over the last few years when nothing has happened and I think the fans were getting more and more stressed, as were the players.

"It was nice to bury all that after the turmoil of the last few years, but even on Saturday there was a suggestion of what might happen.

"It is a shame that the players and fans cannot celebrate a magnificent achievement without this sour note to overshadow things.

"But everybody makes decisions to suit themselves and Wim obviously feels this is the right one for him."

The former Scotland midfielder, who experienced five changes of management during his own distinguished Parkhead career, insists another new appointment could damage the chances of success on a wider stage next year.

He added: "There will be upheaval and of course there will be changes with any new man coming in.

"It is all the more disappointing that this has arisen at a time when they should be looking forward to challenging the best in Europe."

Jansen is expected to be in charge of the team for the last time tomorrow in a friendly against Sporting Lisbon.

Speaking from the team's hotel, he admitted he had fallen out with his Parkhead bosses.

"I don't want to comment too much but you can say I have had different opinions than the management," he said.

"I will return to Scotland after the match in Lisbon. I have a few things to sort out before going back to Holland.

"I will then try to figure out what I will do next. I haven't spoken to any clubs so I don't know what the future holds."