Alan Curbishley was given the sort of standing ovation and touching tribute worthy of a man who has devoted 15 years of his life to dragging Charlton back from the abyss and establishing the Addicks as a Premiership force to be reckoned with. It's been a hell of a journey!
Curbishley was visibly moved when he stepped onto the pitch yesterday to take the acclaim of fans who know exactly what his contribution has been to the cause of a club which didn't even have its own ground when he took over.
When the announcement was made yesterday it was immediately rumoured that Curbishley's links with the FA and the England job were behind his surprise move. But Curbs insisted: "There's nothing sinister behind my decision, and it's got nothing to do with the England situation. I just need a break. I went straight from being a player into management and I have been here 15 great years. That's a long time without a break, and I just need to re-charge myself."
Curbishley maintained the England situation wasn't his motivation and even conceded he's out of the running for the job Big Phil Scolari dramatically turned down last week, leaving the FA in chaos - and with Steve McClaren now in pole position, or so it would appear.
Martin O'Neill's also considered to be a front runner but how the next incumbent will feel about knowing they were NOT the first choice of the FA remains to be seen.
As for his own future, Curbs said: "This decision is about me and Charlton. There are mixed emotions - I would have liked to have done well today (Charlton lost 2-0 to Blackburn). But it wasn't to be today - it was a very subdued performance and I thought it was going to be once the players and the fans knew (I was leaving).
"I've had a fantastic 15 years at the club but I felt the time was right for change for me and the club. I wasn't going to sign a contract extension and chairman Richard Murray wasn't happy because he wants people committed to the club and he felt one year wasn't commitment. We had a meeting yesterday which started lunchtime and by 5pm the decision was made. Rich and I are very happy with it and I leave on very good terms."
Murray said: "We sat down yesterday to have a chat and we both decided it was best if Alan left at the end of the season. He has been a fantastic manager for this club. He's a legend, and something here at the Valley will be named after him."
Rovers boss Mark Hughes also paid tribute to Curbishley and the longevity of his reign. "15 weeks is a long time in football, never mind 15 years," said Hughes. "It's an incredible achievement and he has done a wonderful job here and he deserves all the credit going."
Murray, meanwhile, reflected on a memorable passage in the club's history. "Fifteen years ago we started on a journey which saw us return here to The Valley in 1992 and then embark on a period of sustained progress and success on and off the field. Throughout the entire period Alan Curbishley has been the manager of this great club.
"He has given us memories that will live with us all forever. Promotion to the Premiership in 1998 followed the most dramatic play-off final ever to take place at Wembley Stadium - 4-4 against Sunderland and 7-6 winners on penalties. In 2000 we won the First Division Championship in spectacular style.
"Next season we will start our seventh successive season in the Premiership - the best league in the world. Alan has masterminded all this success and deserves our total admiration. Yesterday I sat down with Alan to discuss our plans for the future and Alan was as honest as he has always been throughout his time at Charlton and told me he would not be extending his current contract.
"We enjoy a fantastic relationship and Alan only wants to do his best for Charlton for whom he has a deep affection. We both agreed that it would therefore be in the interests of the club and Alan if we parted company at the end of the current season. We do so as the best of friends. Alan will manage a Charlton team for the last time at Old Trafford next Sunday."
Before yesterday's game, Curbishley's last at home, Murray had this message for the fans. "When Alan emerges from the tunnel today I would ask each and every one of you to stand and pay tribute to a remarkable man and leave him in no doubt of the genuine affection you all hold for someone who has done so much for our football club and is in my opinion the greatest football manager this club has ever had."
They did just that...and much more!
