Celtic have finally confirmed the departure of long-serving assistant manager John Kennedy.

But the club’s brief statement has been met with disappointment from supporters who feel it fell far short of what he deserved.

Kennedy, who spent 27 years at Celtic as a player, coach and assistant manager, leaves the club alongside Adam Sadler, Jack Lyons, and Head of Performance Glen Driscoll, all of whom followed Brendan Rodgers out the door.

In a short statement released on Wednesday, the club said:

“Celtic Football Club can confirm today that Assistant Manager John Kennedy, coaches Adam Sadler and Jack Lyons, and Head of Performance Glen Driscoll have left the Club with immediate effect.

“We thank each of them for their contribution to Celtic and we wish them all well for the future.”

While the message formally acknowledged Kennedy’s exit, it’s underwhelming, particularly given his nearly three decades of service and his reputation as one of the club’s most loyal figures.

Kennedy famously turned down offers to follow Rodgers to Leicester City and Ange Postecoglou to Tottenham, choosing instead to stay at Celtic through multiple managerial changes.

The club also announced additions to the interim backroom staff, confirming that former Celtic captain Stephen McManus and ex-player Mark Fotheringham have joined Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney in the first-team setup.

They’ll work alongside Stevie Woods, Gavin Strachan, and Greg Wallace while the search for a permanent manager continues.

Kennedy’s departure marks the end of an era for Celtic. From breaking through as a promising young defender in the late 1990s to serving under six different managers, he’s been part of almost every chapter of the club’s modern history.