ABSA Premiership side Platinum Stars dismissed coach Steve Komphela yesterday but the former national Under-23 coach pleaded ignorance about his expulsion, saying he had not been notified about it.

ABSA Premiership side Platinum Stars dismissed coach Steve Komphela yesterday but the former national Under-23 coach pleaded ignorance about his expulsion, saying he had not been notified about it.

Stars released a statement yesterday stating that they had parted ways with the philosophical Komphela with "immediate effect".

But Komphela, who still has a season left in contract with Dinaledi, declined to comment, telling Sowetan he was unable to do so without any official word from the club.

Since joining Stars after the departure of Miguel Gamondi exactly a year ago, Komphela's stay in Rustenburg has been dogged by negativity, ranging from reports about certain administrators wanting his scalp to a mini players' revolt in the early part of this year.

Now there are claims that general manager Jason Raine and managing director Ian Riddick had orchestrated Komphela's exit with hopes of employing multiple league-winning coach Gordon Igesund or Orlando Pirates assistant coach Craig Rosslee.

Raine could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Some sources have accused him of telling players that the coach had terminated his contract with the team.

But Stars' statement said: "Mr Komphela and the club part ways with mutual respect and admiration.

"Komphela succeeded in attracting a number of young players to join Platinum Stars, and the long- term prospects of the club look very good as a result."

Platinum Stars have vowed to announce Komphela's replacement well ahead of the coming 2010-11 Absa Premiership season.

A source said Komphela was heading for Gauteng, but could not confirm which club has moved for the coach.