Glentoran owner Ali Pour says he was "shocked" when Rodney McAree quit the club to become Dungannon Swifts' new manager.
McAree spent just five months at the helm of the Oval club, securing a third-place finish in the Premiership before qualifying for Europe.
The 48-year-old announced he was stepping down from the role earlier this month, before being confirmed as the new manager of hometown club Dungannon.
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Pour says McAree was appointed on a permanent basis at the start of the year, and it was hoped the Co Tyrone native would still be in charge for the start of the new season.
"It wasn't the plan for Rodney to leave. It has to be stated that Rodney was brought in to replace Mick," Pour said during a flying visit to the Oval on Tuesday.
"That's why we brought him in. Mick was never meant to be the manager forever.
"The plan was he would stay for three to five years and then move upstairs. Obviously things changed, so Rodney was promoted, and he seemed very happy, and we were happy, too.
"And the results were good as well. So we were shocked when Rodney left, to be honest.
"It seemed so sudden. And to go to a smaller team...
"We qualified for Europe and things were going well. And then he leaves for the Swifts, I was shocked to be honest."
No sooner had McAree left, than the Glens were naming Warren Feeney as their new manager.
Pour said it was important to act swiftly, with former Linfield boss Feeney getting the nod after meeting all of the club board's criteria.
"The issue when Rodney left was what do we do. Do we bring someone in straight away, or appoint an interim manager," Pour said.
"This was discussed, and we felt bringing an interim manager in wouldn't work. We needed someone with a full-time commitment to Glentoran.
"So a criteria was set out, and Warren matched everything we were asking for and he got the job.
"I wasn't hands on. I am not even qualified for that.
"I can't micro manage a football team. That's what Paul (MIllar) and the board are here for.
"All I asked for was to get the best we can get. Don't think about the cost.
"Get the best replacement possible, because we have a very important few weeks ahead. We have Europe and pre-season coming up.
"Warren was chosen, and I was very supportive of that."
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