Forres Mechanics manager Charlie Rowley has agreed a contract extension until 2023, but it will be his last term as Mosset Park boss
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The Highland League's longest-serving manager will serve another three seasons with the Cans before handing over the reins to the next man.
Rowley (51) said he was delighted to pen a two-year extension to his current deal, which expires in the summer of 2021.
His right hand men in the management team, Craig Ewen and Charlie Brown have also agreed the same extension.
But he has also made the decision to bring a managerial stint which included only the second Highland League title triumph in Mechanics' long history to a gentle halt.
Rowley will have completed two decades of service at Forres as a player, coach, assistant and manager by the time he calls it quits in 2023.
He hinted that he may continue his association with the Moray club beyond then if a position on the Cans' board became available that he could commit to.
"I was absolutely delighted to agree to the extension," he said.
"But this will be my final two-and-a-half years as manager and I’ve told them that. I won’t be continuing once this current new extension runs out, that will definitely be my tenure over as manager.
"It needed a definite time scale in terms of coming to an end. You can overstay your welcome and things can get a little bit stale and I’m well aware of that.
"It's for everybody’s peace of mind, and the club can plan for the future and this gives them plenty time to consider all options that might be available to them and how they go about it.
"It’s in everybody’s best interests for that decision to be made and it was purely my own decision."
The next Highland League season will be Rowley's tenth at the helm of Mechanics.
He was offered a two-year extension plus a rolling one-year contract beyond 2023, but rejected the final part of the deal to signal his intention to eventually finish management.
"If there is an opportunity of going on to the board and I felt I was still able to commit to that side of things, I would definitely seriously consider that.
"But two-and-a-half years or three seasons is a long time in football. There’s nothing definite in place but it’s something I would consider seriously.
"One thing's for sure, I’ve got no aspirations of going elsewhere and be involved at another club. If I’m not involved at Mechanics I won’t be anywhere else."
Rowley first joined the Chocolate and Golds in 2002 when he felt his playing time at Buckie Thistle under then-boss Kevin Will would be limited.
Gordon Connelly signed him for the Cans, and he moved into the coaching side of things before Gordon Winton was appointed as manager in 2007 and made Rowley his assistant.
Within two years they had brought the Highland League Cup to Mosset Park in what proved to be Winton's final season due to work commitments.
Rowley was his obvious successor, and in his first year as boss he led Forres to a North of Scotland triumph - with a far greater achievement just around the corner.
The next season saw Mechanics do the Highland League equivalent of a 'Leicester City' by storming to league title glory for only the second time in their history.
Since that historic 2011-12 campaign, bigger spending clubs have ruled the roost but the Cans have always remained competitive and enjoyed consistent top six finishes.
Rowley is delighted to have Ewen and Brown by his side for another three seasons.
"It’s hugely important that your backroom staff is on board with you and willing to do a lot of the work that’s involved. You can’t do it alone, that’s for sure.
"They have had a major impact in the stability of the club."
Mechanics have stopped first team training and games temporarily as the Highland League awaits a definite time scale for returning to matches with crowds in attendance.
