Durosimi Thomas BBC Sport, Tunis

Chiboub has led Esperance for over a decade

Slim Chiboub, the charismatic president of Tunisian side Esperance, will resign from his post next month.

His decision to quit the club on 31 December comes in the wake of his club's African Champions League semi-final defeat to Ismaili.

Esperance lost to the Egyptian side 3-1 at the El Menzah Stadium on Saturday to crash out 6-2 on aggregate.

But Chiboub has dismissed suggestions that his departure has been triggered by Saturday's defeat.

"It was my intention to quit the club a year ago, this is just a confirmation that this time I really mean it," said Chiboub.

It was my intention to quit the club a year ago Slim Chiboub

"I shall be leaving a well-structured club for my successor who will have the best resources for continuity.

"It's time for me to go and I think the club needs fresh brains with new ideas."

Chiboub has been Esperance president for over a decade and was head of the club when they won three continental trophies between 1994 and 1998.

He is the current chairman of the local organising committee for next year's Nations Cup, a post he held when Tunisia hosted the tournament nine years ago.