New York Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke insists he knew nothing prior to this week's resignation of general manager Jerome de Bontin.
The Red Bulls announced that de Bontin, who had been with the club since October 2012, had stepped down from his role for personal reasons.
Reports have suggested that there was some sort of power struggle in New York's boardroom between de Bontin and sporting director Andy Roxburgh but Petke admits he is not too sure what had occurred.
"I'm not going to comment too much on it because it happened so suddenly and I know nothing about it. It's always a shame, and it's an uncomfortable situation when somebody who has been here for a bit is gone, no matter what the reasoning is," Petke said ahead of this weekend's 2014 MLS season opener against Vancouver Whitecaps.
"I had a good relationship with Jerome, and I wish him the best. On the soccer side, we're focusing on Saturday's game."
As for the rumours, Roxburgh was quick to play down suggestions that he had any part in de Bontin's departure.
"You'd have to ask him that. What was clearly defined here was the arrangement that I was to be responsible for the sporting side of the club, and Jerome was responsible for the whole commercial business side of the club," he said.
"I know that he'll want to continue to be involved and contribute to the game, and I'm sure he will do that and I wish him all the best. So from my point of view, it doesn't really change my situation in what I do on a day-to-day basis."
