Paul Sturrock has left his job at the Conference club Torquay United after just four days, having been offered a permanent position elsewhere.
Sturrock, the 58-year-old former Plymouth manager, was hired on 5 April to work alongside manager Chris Hargreaves in an advisory role – with Hargreaves welcoming the appointment: “The process of planning for the future has to begin now … The summer is our chance to reflect, refresh and rebuild.”
However, Sturrock chose not to stay after being offered another position at an unnamed club, reportedly Yeovil Town. Torquay’s vice-chairman, Bill Phillips, said in a statement: “I am very disappointed but we wish Paul the very best of luck in his new job.
“We still believe in the principle of someone to work with Chris and to provide an additional sounding board for ideas, both tactically and in terms of recruitment. I also genuinely believe Chris endorses that view.
“Paul Sturrock fitted the bill because he lives locally but I wish him well in his new job. Events can take over the best-laid plans but we have to find someone comparable with Paul.
“The principle is there and now it’s finding the right person. The basis of the idea is to do everything we can to help Chris achieve great success as the manager of Torquay United.”
Sturrock’s four-day stay at the club does not represent the fastest ever exit at Plainmoor, however, with Leroy Rosenior lasting just 10 minutes as manager in 2007.
