Neale Cooper admitted he was surprised and shocked to be told yesterday he would not be kept on as Ross County assistant manager.
The Staggies announced Cooper, pictured below, and physio Paul Chappell were leaving as part of a restructuring.
However, Cooper, who ended his playing days with County and previously managed County and Peterhead and English clubs Gillingham and Hartlepool United, insisted he left Victoria Park with no hard feelings towards the Dingwall club.
The 50-year-old,whose son Alex remains in the first-team squad, had been working as Derek Adams’ assistant since November 2012.
He said: “I must admit it was a bit of a shock.
“I suppose you never know what is around the corner in football.
“I am disappointed because I have loved being back in the game.
“It is hard, but I would like to thank the club for giving me an opportunity to come and work again.
“I have enjoyed every minute of it and the supporters have been brilliant with me.
“It is Derek’s decision and I am obviously upset, but I have to get on with it now.”
Cooper, a member of Alex Ferguson’s all-conquering Aberdeen side of the 1980s, will now take stock before deciding his next move.
He added: “I don’t know what is next for me, I am going to go on holiday and have a think about things.
“I want to thank Derek and George Adams (Ross County’s director of football) for the opportunity.
“I have learned a lot on the coaching side. Hopefully I will be better for this experience and get back into something after the summer.
“It was a fantastic achievement by Ross County to stay in the Scottish Premiership once again.
“A few of the players are out of contract so I don’t know what will happen with that.
“But I certainly wish the club all the best for the future.
“I am sad to be leaving but that’s life.”
Manager Adams said: “I would like to thank Neale and Paul for their assistance while at the football club. I wish them every success in the future.”
Four players who impressed with County’s under-20 team this season have been offered one-year contracts – midfielders Tony Dingwall and Scott Ferries, attacker Kyle MacLeod and defender Ross MacKillop.
Teenagers Stephen Miller, James Beeston and Connor Lyall have been retained for a second season with the under-20s.