Christian Edwards has revealed that he will stand down as manager of Cardiff Met at the end of the season.
After 13 years at Cyncoed Campus, the Sports Coaching Science lecturer will hand over the reins to someone else having created a long lasting legacy.
His employers Cardiff Met offered him a different role to the Senior Lecturer job he holds now, however that would have required him to relinquish his duties last season.
In his time with Cardiff Met, he has lifted them from the fourth tier of Welsh football to UEFA Europa League football.
Met have also held their own in Welsh football’s top division for the last five divisions having never had the threat of relegation.
In an interview with The National, Edwards said: “After 13 years in charge, and the amount of success we’ve had on and off the pitch, I feel it is the right time to give someone else the opportunity to take the team forward. I’ll leave with the club in good hands.
“I know I could go on for another 13 years but it’s only right someone else gets the opportunity to have a go.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with the club and will take some fantastic memories with me. The pinnacle has been working with the players for 13 years, I’ve loved every minute of it.
“I had an opportunity to take a job with the university last year but I would have had to give up the football so didn’t accept it.
The Archers are going through a period of transition having seen a number of their loyal servants depart.
In the summer, both Bradley Woolridge Dylan Rees and Will Fuller departed. A season before that, the likes of Will Evans and Joel Edwards left the club.
All players played a role in the University qualifying for the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, as well as winning the Nathaniel MG Cup.
“Our biggest success over the years has been getting a group of players to buy into the project.
“The first aim was to get to division one of the Welsh League and we got there.
“That gave us the opportunity to install a 3G pitch and develop the infrastructure to progress higher.
“We won promotion to the Cymru Premier and this is now our sixth season. It’s been fantastic for us and we are continuing to grow.
He added: “We got into the play-off final for Europe three seasons in a row and lost in the first two, and then beat Bala Town on penalties on what was a momentous occasion for the club.
“It was a truly remarkable achievement for a group of players who have gone from division three of the Welsh League to European football.
“It was a fantastic journey and would have been easy to leave after we qualified for Europe.”
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