Strabane man Stephen Maguire leaves technical director role at UK Athletics as sprinter Dina Asher-Smith demands an explanation behind ‘disappointing decision’

The news comes less than two months after Maguire oversaw a very successful World Championships in Budapest, with the British team equalling their best ever medal haul of 10.

Having been overlooked for the head coach role in 2020, Maguire quit the organisation but was tempted back last summer in the newly-created role.

UK Athletics did not give a reason for Maguire’s departure, saying in a short statement: “UK Athletics have announced that Stephen Maguire will leave his role as technical director with immediate effect. An interim head coach will be announced in due course, until then no further comment will be made.”

Maguire, whose work as head of sprints, hurdles and relays had been widely praised, looked ahead with enthusiasm to the Paris Olympics following the success in Budapest.

But there will now be more upheaval at the governing body less than a year out from the Games.

Sprinter Dina Asher-Smith says UK Athletics should explain their “snap decision” to the athletes.

She wrote on her Instagram story: “Would love to see a full explanation of the reasoning behind this disappointing decision for the athletes and our performances.

“Stephen has been phenomenal, so dedicated and has an excellent understanding of what it takes to be successful in the sport of track and field.

“Working at BA before and having had a long history in the sport made him excellent at his job, which resulted in the team’s overwhelming success in Budapest, and put us on an amazing path to Paris.

“Such a snap decision as athletes begin to prepare for an Olympic Games cannot have been done with any consideration for the performance needs of the athletes.

“As an athlete, it would be nice to have this explained to us, as much as any confidentiality clauses allow of course, because from the outside looking in it seems like an incredibly short-sighted decision made without considering that we are in an Olympic year, and without any understanding (of) what it takes to manage the performance side of Athletics and what is takes to perform at the highest level.”