Departing Canberra FC coach Andy Bernal has cited differences with the club's board and his busy schedule as the reasons for leaving this year's Capital Football National Premier League runners-up.
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The former Socceroo was the club's technical director, but stepped into the head coaching position after Ray Junna was sacked mid-season.
Canberra FC was minutes away from winning the grand final before Belconnen United's Jack Green equalised in with the final kick of extra-time on their way to prevailing in the penalty shootout.
Bernal thanked Canberra FC for giving him the opportunity to coach for the first time, but was critical of a "football environment and culture I preferred not to be a part of".
"I'm very confident in my ability to manage, coach and empower players and don't feel inferior to any coach be it in the NPL or the A-League," Bernal said.
"Having said that, part of the job is dealing with boards and in this case, having come from the very highest levels of professional football, my philosophy, coaching methods and vision for the club were miles apart from where the board's thinking was.
"That's life, a new chapter begins and I wish the club, players and supporters the best of luck."
Bernal - who was capped 21 times for his country and played professionally in Spain and England - has had coaching interest from Australia, Asia and the UK, but is focused on his player management business, which includes Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic, and his work with the Stockade Gym.
Canberra FC secretary Martin Radic said Bernal informed the club he didn't want to be considered for the coaching role for next season.
"He was never told that he was going to be coaching next year, it was an interim thing," Radic said.
"Our presentation is on Saturday and that's when our season finishes and we were going to make a decision on Monday, so he has withdrawn."
Capital Football intends to make an announcement on the composition of next year's NPL competition on Friday.
Robbie Cattanach and Caitlin Munoz claimed the men's and women's player of the year awards for the second successive year at the Hellenic Club on Thursday night.
Cattanach was the runaway winner after leading the Cooma Tigers to a 14-game unbeaten streak on their way to winning the league championship for the first time in the club's 63-year history.
Munoz had another brilliant season for Belconnen United on its way to taking out the women's premiership.
