George Grierson today revealed it was a "huge wrench" to quit Whitletts Vics, insisting he and the club were going down "different paths".
Dam Park chiefs last night said the sudden departure of Grierson and his entire backroom staff had come as a "real shock".
But Grierson is adamant his decision to walk was the right one.
He told Ayrshire Live: "It's important to stress that John Dalton is the best chairman I have ever worked with and I have never had a cross word with him in my time at Whitletts.
"There has been no fall-out with anyone at the club or the committee.
"But the club now has a clear model it is working to in terms of two distinct arms - you have the community development side and the football side.
"It's important to strike a balance between those two if you're going to make the football team a success."
Grierson added: "Whitletts have got their model and it doesn't mean that's wrong.
"But I just felt we were starting to go down different paths in that regard.
"I haven't hidden my ambition to manage in the Premier League and that very much remains the case.
"There is no other job on the table and I'll not be rushing into anything. Whatever comes next has to be the right move for me and my coaching team.
"The last 24 hours has been hard phoning round the players because it's a great bunch of boys and I have loved my time at the club and I wish them all the success in the future."
Vics chairman John Dalton admitted he had been left "extremely disappointed" by the resignation of Grierson and his coaching team Kevin Deeney, Barry Ross and Ally McGhee.
Dalton said: “This has come as a real shock to the committee of the Club.
"We had been in discussions about plans for next season and in our view they were going well.
“The timing of this move is disappointing as well, given that we have half a dozen games remaining this season and very close to securing our place in the WoSFL First Division next season.
“Club captain Jordan Boyd, Isaac Kerr and coach Gavin Brown will take charge of the team for Saturday’s key match away at Glasgow University."
Dalton added: “I know that he [Grierson] has ambitions to manage in the top division.
"We had hoped that he could achieve those ambitions with Whitletts but sadly that’s not to be the case and I would like to put on record our thanks to him and his coaching staff for the work that they have done for the Club and we wish him all the best wherever his future lies.”
The club is inviting applications to secretary Jim Shields on 07852 747 817 or via e-mail at secretary@whitlettsvictoria.com
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