Kolkata, Nov 17: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) technical director Scott O'Donell has stepped down from his post expressing his unwillingness to extend his contract, well-placed sources told IANS.

The Australian though, it has been learned, has cited family reasons for his decision.

O'Donell has worked with the AIFF for five years but he was the technical director for only a year.

The former Cambodia coach was first appointed as the technical director for academies and coach education in November 2011. During that time, Dutchman Rob Baan was the technical director.

"Besides family reasons, his extension got over. I believe he probably did not want to extend it," a source said on Thursday.

The 49-year-old had differences with India coach Stephen Constantine and U-17 World Cup coach Nicolai Adam during his tenure.

The AIFF will now have to search for his replacement with the Asian Cup qualifiers starting late March next year.

IANS