Socceroos central defender Trent Sainsbury has admitted he felt "let down" by the resignation of former coach Ange Postecoglou and revealed the players found out about his decision through the media.
Postecoglou stepped down from the national team role in the days following the 3-1 aggregate win over Honduras - a result which secured Australia qualification for the fourth consecutive World Cup - with the reasons for his departure still yet to be known.
The story about Postecoglou's resignation broke weeks before his official announcement - in the hours following the Asian playoff victory over Syria - but Sainsbury explained the players still believed he was going to be their coach in Russia after qualification was secured against Honduras.
"We always thought (Postecoglou) was going to stick around and see it through and all of a sudden word comes out through the media, which was a bit disappointing, it was sort of like a break up over text or finding out through somebody else," Sainsbury said on social media platform 20Four.
"Yeah there was always a few inklings that he was going to leave the job and it never really hit home at the time.
"I think the boys were looking forward to having him take us to the World Cup in Russia.
"I feel let down. Everyone has got their decisions to make – we don’t know his side of the story and I don’t know if we ever will.
"My personal feeling is that I feel a little bit let down."
Despite his disappointment at Postecoglou's decision, Sainsbury praised the 52-year-old's legacy and the achievements made under his tenure.
He also admitted his "hurt" as he believes he may never have a coach like Postecoglou again.
"(Postecoglou) has taken us on this journey and he has done a fantastic job and he has left such a legacy – 2015 Asian Cup, qualifying the way he wanted us to qualify," Sainsbury said.
"I think the belief that’s in the squad now will carry on to the next generation.
"I wouldn’t say he is like a father figure but he is one of the most positive coaches I’ve ever had and one of the most passionate.
"I think when you have that, it hurts when they leave because you might never have that again."
Postecoglou became Socceroos coach just prior to the 2014 World Cup after the dismissal of German Holger Osieck in the lead-up to the tournament.
He was widely acclaimed for the green-and-gold's performances in Brazil, despite failing to get a point in the group stage, before leading the team to Asian Cup glory on home soil in 2015.
