Northern Ireland are aiming to get their World Cup qualifying campaign up and running tomorrow amid a backdrop of change at the Irish Football Association.
The governing body are beginning their search for a new chief executive after sacking the experienced Howard Wells.
IFA president Raymond Kennedy cited a breakdown in relations but stated no financial settlement had been agreed.
A board meeting is scheduled for Thursday while Wells has consulted his lawyers.
Kennedy said: ‘It got to the stage where his job had become untenable. Therefore, in the best interests of the IFA, we took this action.
‘There was no debating between us whatsoever. As far as I am concerned we will be moving on.
‘There will be a board meeting at the end of the week. I am 100% sure everything has been conducted in a proper manner.’
The news came out of the blue as Wells attended the World Cup qualifier in Slovenia, where Northern Ireland lost 2-0 on Saturday.
Kennedy added on BBC Radio Ulster: ‘We had a terrible result at the weekend. We are concentrating on our next match, securing three points and moving on in the World Cup.
‘The result (against Slovenia) had nothing to do with this. It is a pure coincidence.’
Wells became the IFA's first chief executive in November 2004 - he had held similar posts at Watford and Ipswich.
An experienced sports administrator, he was the inaugural chairman of UK Sport and also chaired the Central Council of Physical Recreation.
Wells said: ‘The matter is in the hands of my legal advisors. I have no further comment to make.’
Meanwhile, captain Aaron Hughes is convinced the team can get back on track after taking one point from three matches when they entertain San Marino.
He said: ‘The defeat in Slovenia makes it more difficult to qualify for the finals but I do not think it's all over.
‘Yes, it's going to be tough and we can't afford any more slip-ups, but we can still get ourselves back in contention in the group.
‘A few results have to go our way, but I think there'll be a few twists and turns in this group, so we can get back in the race.
‘If we can get maximum points from our next two games against San Marino, that'll get us back in the mix.’
