Barry Johnston says he understands why Paddy McLaughlin swapped Cliftonville for Derry City - but is surprised by the timing of the switch.
McLaughlin stepped down from his position at Solitude on Monday night to take up an assistant manager role at the Brandywell.
The North Belfast Reds still have two games remaining in the regular Premiership season, and then it looks as if they will fight it out for Europe through the play-offs.
Read more: Paddy McLaughlin opens up on Cliftonville 'dread' and Derry City opportunity
"I am surprised he went before the end of the season, if I am being honest. But you can't fault the fella," Johnston told Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast.
"Derry City is his boyhood club and I am sure he has aspirations to manage them one day. He is getting his foot in there and seeing how everything works behind the scenes and is getting familiar with faces up there.
"It is probably a long-term plan for him.
"For Cliftonville, three years is probably the average for a manager. And things would probably have run its course at the end of the season.
"And Cliftonville will have no shortage of high quality managers applying for the job. I can guarantee you that."
A number of high-profile names have been linked with the vacant post, including former club striker Diarmuid O'Carroll and ex-Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton.
Kenny and Dean Shiels have also been thrown into the hat alongside Lisburn Distillery boss Johnston, but he has ruled himself out of the running.
"I have my A Licence but I don't have my Pro (Licence). I am really enjoying my time at Distillery, you can see how they treat me here," he said.
"They have been brilliant to me so it would be really unfair for me to speak about anything else. People know my affiliation with Cliftonville anyway but any role at Cliftonville is a long way away for me.
"All the names mentioned are class. Dermy (O'Carroll) is doing class in Scotland.
"For me, Jim Magilton would be unbelievable, just to get into our league. His personality, his credentials, his history, a Northern Ireland international who speaks so fondly of our league.
"Dean Shiels, I love the brand of football he plays. At Cliftonville, he would have a better standard of player to work with, and I don't mean any disrespect to Dungannon.
"Kenny Shiels has been mentioned, and also Stephen McDonnell who had a wee stint at Warrenpoint. He is now at Dundalk.
"Cliftonville are in a good place. If they sell Sean Moore and get a good amount of money for him, that would offset any potential blow of missing out on Europe.
"If they make Europe and sell Sean Moore they could be on one of the biggest budgets in the league. I think they are okay for this year, budget wise, and I think someone will be very fortunate to get that job."
Declan O'Hara has been appointed interim manager until the end of the season, while the Reds have also announced the new permanent appointment will be on a full-time basis.
The Solitude club will also adopt a new "hybrid model" which will balance the needs of professional footballers with those who have other careers away from football.
Johnston believes the approach will be appealing to many managers.
"I read they are looking at a hybrid model, so it is an exciting job. Maybe a mix of the academy with some full-time players during the day, and then back in the evening with the full squad," the former Reds midfielder added.
"How they work it, I am sure they have a plan in place. But they will have no shortage of managers interested because of the quality of that squad. It is ridiculously good.
"The budget will be there. It is a well-run club with Paul McKeown (chairman) and David Begley (chief operating officer), two very clever men.
"I am sure they are being advised by others on what direction this model goes. And it is a very exciting job for whoever gets it."
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