Formartine manager Steve Paterson paid the price for a home defeat to Huntly on Saturday when he was dismissed along with assistant-manager Craig Stewart.
The former Aberdeen and Caley Thistle manager was frustrated by the level of performance from his players, but had no complaints the club called time.
The former Manchester United midfielder, who had been in charge at North Lodge Park for four years, said: “It was mutual and 100% amicable. I have the highest regard for the club and things were talked about in a professional manner.
“The quality of our performance against Huntly was a bit shambolic at times.
“When I first took the job the chairman said he wanted us to win the league in three years. I said I reckoned we could do it in two years. We should have done that.
“In 2013 we had to win one of our last two games of the season to win the league.
“But we couldn’t do that and I don’t think the players were mentally strong enough then.
“It has been difficult after that. I have really enjoyed working for Formartine though and the chairman has been great to me.
“Unfortunately with some of the players we brought in the returns have not been good enough and I know a manager lives and dies by results.
“Formartine is the job with the highest pressure in the Highland League. In the last two years, as soon as we lost a game or two the question was asked: ‘Is Pele getting the sack?’
“The next manager could get a surprise at the expectation levels at the club. This season we could finish third or fourth and that’s not good enough.
“I have loved working with the club and have had a great four years. I’m just disappointed we didn’t win more trophies.
“I can’t complain as I had more than enough backing from the chairman.”
Paterson is determined this will not signal the end of his football career and added: “I’ll be back soon as football is in my blood and I’m just waiting for that phone call from a club looking for a manager.”
The end came after Huntly came from behind to defeat United and secure a first win at North Lodge Park since April 2011.
After six straight defeats, Huntly assistant-manager Steven Dolan was delighted with the win and said: “It was good to get a win at a tough venue and over the course of the game we deserved it and had the better of the chances.”
The visitors got off to a great start when David Booth ran on to a cross-field ball before scoring in off the post from a tight angle.
Formartine pushed players into attack and defender Graham Hay levelled with a deflected shot from 25 yards. The home side then took the lead when former Huntly forward Marek Madle played the ball in from the right and Calum Dingwall finished with a low drive.
Huntly were determined to get back into the game and after a sustained spell of pressure Ian Cruickshank finished at the back post to make the score 2-2.
In the 34th minute Formartine’s Paul Napier was cautioned for not retreating at a free kick by referee Thomas Shaw. The midfielder kept speaking out of turn following his first caution and Shaw was quick to produce a second and reduce the home side to 10 men.
Things went from bad to worse for Formartine when, two minutes from the interval, a Blair Johnston throw released Neale Davidson and his low cross across the box was met by the on-rushing Ian Cruickshank who drilled in his second.
Into stoppage time Huntly also went down to 10 men when Craig Dorrat picked up a second yellow card.