Cole's controversial appointment in the off-season was greeted with scepticism by sky blue fans after his long association with Melbourne Victory in a similar role before making the move north.

His remit appeared to be identifying players to recruit and establishing a club philosophy beyond individual coaches.

But despite signing World Cup star Alessandro Del Piero and Socceroo jason Culina, Sydney have slumped to the bottom of the table.

Much of the blame for Sydney's awful performance has been blamed on a lack of depth to the Sydney side caused by poor player scouting and the appointment of rookie coach Ian Crook.

After the dreadful start to the season and just days after hiring new coach Frank Farina, Sydney's board today decided to make the football director post redundant and let Cole go.

But a Sydney FC sources say the decision to axe Cole came directly from new coach Farina.

 

“It was something that Frank discussed with Tony," said a club insider. "“It’s what Frank wants and I think Tony’s quite happy to do it. Both decided it was the right way to go.

 

“The coach and football director were basically liaising on recruitment and that sort of stuff. That will now be done by the coach and CEO."

 

Insiders insist the decision to axe Cole had nothing to do with the squad assembled for the current campaign.

 

The source added. "The coach always puts the team together. The Football Director, CEO, whoever, helps out with recruitment - they don’t get final say on who the players are.”

 

The move echoes Melbourne Victory last season who dumped football director Frances Awaritefe after a similarly disastrous start to the season under a rookie coach despite signing Harry Kewell.

Today the club issued a short statement confirming Cole's exit.

"Sydney FC has made a change to its Football Department structure with the position of Football Director made redundant," said the media release.

"As a consequence, Sydney FC Football Director Gary Cole has been made redundant, effective today."

“Sydney FC has decided to make some structural changes to the football department and the position of Football Director has been made redundant,” said Sydney FC Chief Executive Officer Tony Pignata.

“On behalf of Sydney FC, I’d like to thank Gary Cole for the work he did in his time at the club and wish him the best of luck in the future.”