Kilmarnock scouting chief Tony Spearing has quit the Rugby Park club following the departure of long-term confidante Steve Clarke.
Former Norwich, Stoke and Leicester defender Spearing, 54, played a central role in helping the Scotland boss land key signings such as Youssouf Mulumbu, Daniel Bachmann, Aaron Tshibola and loan striker Liam Miller.
Kilmarnock scouting chief Tony Spearing helped land key signings such as Youssouf Mulumbu
The Ayrshire side were rewarded with their first top threecsince 1966 and their first qualification for Europe since 2001.
Sportsmail understands Spearing reached the decision to leave of his own accord, with new boss Angelo Alessio poised to bring in his own scouting staff after assuming the reigns in the close season.