Former Ballarat City senior coach James Robinson says a difference in opinion ultimately led to his decision to leave the club.
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Robinson lifted the lid on his decision to step down, following reports on Wednesday he and the club had agreed to part ways.
He said he wished the club the very best and hoped it would continue to maximise its potential going forward.
"We just weren't on the same page and that's the only comment I have," he said.
"The kids are starting to play football again and that's more important."
Robinson coached Ballarat City's senior men's team in the National Premier League two competition for the last two seasons. However his role extended far beyond coaching.
As the club's director of football, Robinson oversaw all football operations. As a former A-League player, he engaged heavily with A-League club Western United.
He organised for Ballarat City to play a preseason match against the club in February and worked actively to promote Western United home games in Ballarat.
While he didn't yet know what his next move would be, he said for now he would continue to live in the city.
"My kids are still in school here so we will be here until the end of the year at least," he said.
"But as we know, there is a pandemic going on and there are more important things to be aware of right now."
On the field, success was hard to come by Robinson. Last season he coached Ballarat City to only three wins, which was down from nine the previous year.
Following the 2019 season he outlined plans transform the club into a representative team for Western Victoria.
The vision aimed to solidify Ballarat as a development pathway to elite football by drawing regional players from the outer reaches of the state to a development hub in Ballarat.
He didn't comment on whether or not the club would look to see the vision through.
When asked if he would get back into coaching, he said time would tell.
"I love the game and I have a passion for the game so I'll still be involved, but when I don't know," he said.
Robinson maintained the Ballarat region offered great potential for soccer, but said it would take work for it to be realised.
"You need to get a lot of things lined up. It doesn't happen overnight and you need to make sure all the foundations are correct," he said.
"At the end of the day, right now it's just about getting the players back on the pitch playing again."
