Free State Stars were on Monday trying to salvage their relationship with Owen Da Gama last night after the head coach dramatically severed ties with the club.
A source close to Da Gama indicated that the coach signalled his intention to quit at the weekend, and did so on Monday after failing to resolve his differences with the club's management, which allegedly include meddling in team selection.
"Yes, Owen is leaving," a Da Gama associate said.
"He got fed up with a lack of professionalism at the club. For some time, he's been asking for certain things to be done and he was told it was not possible."
The last straw came apparently at the weekend before Stars' Absa Premiership clash with Bay United, when he was apparently told who to field.
"Owen rejected a team list which he was given by a certain club official. He then insisted on fielding his own team but offered to resign if they lost to Bay. But they managed to win," the source added.
The Star was able to reach Da Gama but he could not confirm if he had resigned.
"I think it's best if you speak to the club officials and then get back to me," he said, but his phone was switched off afterwards.
Stars official Rantsi Mokoena was unavailable for comment, but it is believed Ea Lla Koto do not want to lose the former Moroka Swallows player, especially after he led them to the 3-2 win over Bay.
It is also understood that Da Gama has made certain demands, which include an immediate end to management's interference in dressing room affairs and improving professionalism in their set up.
Da Gama left Orlando Pirates at the end of last season and joined the Free State side as technical director two months ago, only to be elevated to head coach following the resignation of then coach David Duncan after just one match.
Stars were initially among the strugglers, failing to win in their first three matches before Da Gama led them to victory over Bay on Sunday which lifted them to ninth in the Premiership standings.