Paul Sturrock has left his role at Torquay United just four days after being appointed in an advisory position.
The 58-year-old was brought in to work alongside manager Chris Hargreaves at the end of last week, but has since been offered a permanent position at an unnamed club.
Torquay vice-chairman Bill Phillips admitted that he was "very disappointed" with Sturrock's swift exit, but insisted that the club would not abandon the plans to have someone work alongside Hargreaves.
"I am very disappointed but we wish Paul the very best of luck in his new job. We still believe in the principle of someone to work with Chris and to provide an additional sounding board for ideas, both tactically and in terms of recruitment. I also genuinely believe Chris endorses that view," Phillips said in a statement.
"Paul Sturrock fitted the bill because he lives locally but I wish him well in his new job. Events can take over the best laid plans but we have to find someone comparable with Paul.
"The principle is there and now it's finding the right person. The basis of the idea is to do everything we can to help Chris achieve great success as the manager of Torquay United."
Torquay currently sit 17th in the Conference Premier table.
Barney Corkhill
