Alan McDonald has told UTV he decided to resign as Glentoran manager, nine months after leading the club to the league title, "because of the players".
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Glentoran Football Club confirmed they had accepted McDonald's resignation with immediate effect on Monday morning.
Assistant Manager George Neill also stepped down with immediate effect, the club later said.
The Glens boss came in for criticism this season after a series of league defeats and poor performances.
He has left the east Belfast club after a two and a half year spell in charge.
"When I took the job on, I took the job because of the players and I've left the job because of the players," he told UTV in his first TV interview since resigning.
"I think the players have underperformed this season in my opinion".
On Saturday, a 2-0 defeat to Dungannon Swifts seriously dented Glentoran's title ambitions.
The result leaves the club one point behind rivals Linfield, who have three games in hand, virtually ending any chance Glentoran have of retaining their league title.
"I just felt that was enough", McDonald told UTV after the club slumped to their eighth league defeat of the season.
"I tried everything. I've tried a change of personnel. I've tried a change of formation.
"Tried to change it in training; made it harder and made it easier. I just felt I'd gone as far as I could with the players."
Earlier this season 200 fans voiced their disapproval of McDonald's management following a humiliating 6-0 loss to Coleraine at the Oval.
At the time, McDonald considered his position but decided to fight on.
"I carried on with the job after having a heart-to-heart with the players and they assured me they would knuckle down and give it a 100% and in hindsight, that hasn't happened. You look at some of the results and some of the performances."
McDonald took over at the Oval in June 2007 and led Glentoran to the Gibson Cup last season, the club's first league win in four years.
"I don't regret anything", he told UTV on Monday night.
In a statement, Glentoran thanked McDonald for "his earnest endeavours" and wished him "well for the future."
Current assistant manager and former Glentoran midfielder Scott Young has been appointed as Team Manager until the end of the current season.
He has chosen Pete Batey as his Assistant Manager and Tim McCann as First Team Coach.
"We wish them every success as they strive to ensure the team ends the season on a high note," the club said.
They face a Big Two clash for their first game in charge, with Glentoran welcoming Linfield at the Oval in Saturday's JJB Sports Irish Cup Quarter-final.
© UTV News