CHARLTON have announced that manager Alan Curbishley will leave the club at the end of the season.

Richard Murray, the Charlton plc chairman, revealed the news to fans ahead of Saturday's game against Blackburn Rovers at The Valley, which the Addicks lost 2-0.

Mr Murray said: "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 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.

"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."

Curbishley, who took sole charge 11 years ago, had always said he would consider his future in the summer.

The news is sure to spark rumours that the 48-year-old is set to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson as England boss after Luiz Philipe Scolari pulled out of the running on Friday night, although Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren is still the bookies' favourite.