Former Cologne head coach Frank Schaefer will leave his job as director of the youth academy at the Bundesliga club at the end of the month.
The 52-year-old had been at the club since 1982 and filled a number of coaching roles before guiding the first team to a club record seven home wins in a row in the 2010-11 season and promotion to the Bundesliga.
Cologne were relegated the following season and in 2012-13 Schaefer worked on developing a sporting structure at the club before being appointed to his latest role in July 2013.
General manager Jorg Schmadtke told the club website: "We have reached this decision with the understanding that Frank Schaefer has long served Cologne in various capacities and has done so exceptionally with passion and without looking for personal gains.
"Everybody at the club respects Frank Schaefer for his work and for his character. Our decision was made as a result of a completely new structuring of the youth academy."
Schaefer added: "I always conducted my job at FC with complete empathy and conviction. Differences in beliefs have arisen regarding the future and the development of the academy.
"Because the director of the youth academy has a responsibility to plan for the future and is involved in all important decision-making, I have decided to leave the club already on April 1. I will always have a deep connection Cologne and wish the club only the best going forward."
Following Schaefer's departure on April 1 sporting director Jorg Jakobs will run the youth academy until a new structure is put in place.