Baxter to leave Crusaders at the end of the season

Baxter, who has been Crusaders manager for 19 years, is currently the longest serving manager in world football

Long-serving Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter will leave the club at the end of the season.

During his tenure, Baxter has guided Crusaders to three Irish Premiership titles, four Irish Cups, a League Cup success and three County Antrim Shield wins.

Crusaders currently sit fifth in the Irish Premiership table.

In a statement on the club website, Baxter said, "After long consideration I feel that now is the time to plan for the club's future and I have informed the chairman of my decision to step away at the end of the season.

"It has been an honour and privilege for me to serve the club and the special memories we created together will forever be ingrained in our hearts."

He added: "I would like to thank all the players, staff, board members and our incredible fans who have walked this journey with me from start to finish. It's been an incredible ride.

"Planning now gives the club time to prepare for the next chapter but rest assured with a number of points still needed to make the play-offs, it will be foot to the mat to the end of the season as we chase another European adventure."

Baxter has won three league titles during his reign as Crusaders manager

Baxter, who spent four years as a player with Crusaders, took over as manager in 2005 and helped them gain promotion back to the Irish Premiership in his second season in charge.

He then guided the Crues to their first Irish Cup success in 41 years when they beat Cliftonville 1-0 in the 2009 final at Windsor Park.

They brought back-to-back Gibson Cups to Seaview in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons, before lifting the league title again in the 2017-18 campaign.

Baxter's side are the current Irish Cup holders after beating Ballymena in the last two finals, but they were knocked out of this year's competition by Ards on penalties at the fifth round stage.

The north Belfast side have struggled in the league this term and are currently 21 points behind leaders Linfield.

They have lost their last five games in all competitions and the 58-year old was hit with a four-game suspension on Friday for his post-match comments after his side's 2-0 defeat by Larne last month.