His decision comes on the eve of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement aimed at addressing player conditions but revealed a split in the PFA's approach to the new pay deal.

Just over a week ago Football Federation Australia announced a $160 million landmark broadcast deal which the PFA said would underpin a new round of negotiations.

A brief statement on the PFA website read: “Nick Holland has decided to step down as Chief Executive of Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) with effect today.

“The amicable separation follows a divergence in views between Nick and the PFA regarding the direction of the Association.

“The PFA will not be making any further comment on this matter.”

Earlier this month Holland told au.fourfourtwo.com he was looking forward to working with new FFA boss David Gallop on the CBA which winds up in six months.

The 38-year-old lawyer said he was confident that two “fresh faces” at the negotiating table would pave the way for “open and candid” discussions.

He travelled to A-League clubs throughout September speaking with players and identified the development of career pathways as a cornerstone of his fledgling reign.

A former AFL player and life member of Hawthorn FC, he took over the top job from another AFL man, Brendan Schwab, who led the players’ union for nearly two decades.

But in a wide-ranging interview with au.fourfourtwo.com just weeks into his tenure, Holland spoke of one day handing the baton to someone within the game.

“The A-League itself is quite young but I think there are many worthy candidates from the executive that may well be sitting in my position down the track,” he said at the time.

“People who have played in the A-League, perhaps internationally, and hopefully transitioned through the use of the career pathways we can provide for them through the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.

“This is an organisation created by the players for the players so I think it would be ideal if down the track I was handing it to a Simon Colosimo-type player.”

More to follow…