Alan Archibald is resigned to the departure of Ian Maxwell but remains hopeful he will stay at Partick Thistle for a while yet.
Thistle managing director Maxwell has emerged as the favourite to take over from Stewart Regan and assume the vacant role of chief executive at the Scottish Football Association after Regan's departure in February.
The former Thistle defender is understood to have applied for the role having stepped down from his position on the board of the SFA earlier this week, but Firhill boss Archibald remains hopeful of keeping the 42-year-old.
Read more: Former Scotland striker Simon Donnelly insists Ian Maxwell right man to take SFA forward
Asked if Maxwell would be a loss for Thistle, Archibald said: "Yeah of course it would.
"He's not away yet and I spoke last month when Stewart first left the post that he would be a good candidate, but hopefully he stays around and doesn't get the job but he will go at some point, we know that.
"He's done a good job and is an ambitious guy."
The two shared a changing room during their playing days in Glasgow, and that footballing knowledge is seen as an important factor in the role Maxwell has played at the club, and Archibald believes it gives him an edge when dealing with the board.
He said: "I have had a good relationship with Ian since I played with him and in the job he's in now.
"Hopefully he doesn't go for us, he's done well at Partick Thistle over the last five years when you look at how the club has changed and he's played a part in that."
On his playing background, Archibald added: "It certainly helps me from my perspective and the way we look at it and in dealings with the board he's a real bridge to go and speak to the board. He sees it from every aspect.
"He's a good communicator and it helps that when you go to make a decision at the top of football, you look at every aspect and he can probably see it more than most."
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