McGlashan led his side to promotion from Division Three in 2008

John McGlashan has resigned as manager of Arbroath insisting that two straight home defeats had no bearing on his decision to leave after four years.

"The timing is right for me to move on as I have been here for a good while now and I view my period as a success," he told the Scottish Football League.

"It is also a chance for Arbroath to freshen things up.

"And, while there has been no fall out or anything like that, I have decided it is best to part now as friends."

The Red Lichties sit eighth in Division Two after their defeats by Clyde and Cowdenbeath.

But the 42 year old said: "The last couple of results have not been a factor as we are sitting in mid-table in the Second Division and that is a far better position than when I arrived four years ago.

I am hell of a disappointed as I have a lot of time for John McGlashan Arbroath chairman John Christison

"We were heavily in debt and second bottom of the SFL and we have turned that around, been promoted and retained our position in the Second Division with a bunch of very loyal players on a limited budget.

"I am very proud of my record as manager at Arbroath and I know that Arbroath are proud of what has been achieved as well."

McGlashan will take a break from the game but plans to return when a suitable opportunity arrives.

"John Christison has been a supportive chairman since I arrived and he also gave me my first managerial position, so I will always be grateful for that," he said.

"I have gained great experience and the club and I have both enjoyed success.

"I look forward to returning to Gayfield with another team some day and leaving on the best of terms now means that I am assured of a warm welcome when I do."

Christison was coming to terms with having to find a new manager.

"I am hell of a disappointed as I have a lot of time for John McGlashan and we have been on a great journey together," he said.

"Managers come and go from clubs, but John will remain a friend to everyone at Arbroath.

"He took over when we were at a low ebb financially and points wise and turned that around and I wish him all the very best in what he does in the future."

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