Hawthorn have sacked their chief executive Tracey Gaudry after only five months in the job.
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It is understood that Gaudry was told of the decision on Sunday night after negative feedback from the AFL, Hawks officials and football staff.
Gaudry's failure to engage with key staff and lack of football experience put her at odds with the football department and wider staff from the outset at a time when the club is looking to relocate to Dingley, rebuild its list, and had already lost senior people from its organisation.
Gaudry was appointed by the club in May, and was the first permanent female CEO of an AFL club.
The AFL was blindsided by her appointment, which came after a lengthy executive search and saw the club miss the opportunity to secure highly favoured former football boss Mark Evans, who was snapped up by the Gold Coast.
Also overlooked were former Bulldogs executive Michael Quinn and St Kilda chief operating officer Ameet Bains.
Gaudry's departure is also a blow to the authority of chairman Richard Garvey.
The Hawks chairman is understood to have reached the decision to remove Gaudry early in grand final week but the club chose to wait until after the weekend to make the controversial move.
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The Hawks now join Collingwood in the search for a new CEO, but former AFL executive Simon Lethlean has been linked to the Magpies' job.
Gaudry had a decorated career as a professional road cyclist, representing Australia at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and is a vice-president of cycling's world governing body, the UCI.
The appointment had raised eyebrows among the Australian athletics community where Gaudry had previously served as an executive.
More to come
