Stephen Baxter’s Crusaders exit won’t necessarily mean grass is greener: David Healy

Linfield boss David Healy has paid tribute to outgoing Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter

Stephen Baxter's Crusaders departure brings to an end a 19-year reign for the manager at Seaview

Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter watches on from the stands during his side's 2-2 draw with Dungannon Swifts

Linfield boss David Healy has warned critics of Stephen Baxter to be careful what they wish for.

The Crusaders manager announced that he will step down from his role at Seaview after a glorious 19-year spell at the helm.

Healy joined Linfield in October 2015 when Crusaders were reigning Champions and would go on to win back-to-back titles that season.

The pair enjoyed a fascinating duel the following term when Healy’s Linfield reeled in Baxter’s Crusaders despite the latter being nine points clear with nine games to go.

Baxter wreaked revenge in 2018, and since then, the duo have carved up the majority of titles and Irish Cups between them.

And Healy has revealed the deep mutual respect between them in a warm tribute to the longest-serving manager in world football.

“First and foremost, Stephen is a champion sportsperson, he’s a champion man, someone who I really like, who I get on extremely well with,” said the record international goalscorer.

“We battled it out for a number of seasons in Cup and League, and the job that he has done – not only on the pitch – the job in and around the club, the success that they have had is incredible.

“Getting promoted from the Championship, the Setanta Cup win, the European runs they have been on, the glories they have had in Cup competitions of late and certainly the League Championships they have won, Stephen is one of the most decorated managers, he’s a gentleman, he’s passionate and he will be