WATFORD's director of football, Terry Byrne, has resigned to become David Beckham's personal manager in Spain.

"It is an unbelievable opportunity. He has been head-hunted. He goes sadly with my blessing and Ray's (Lewington) as well," said chairman Graham Simpson.

Thirty-eight-year-old Byrne, who received several mentions in Beckham's recent biography joined Watford from Chelsea, along with Luca Vialli. When Vialli and his support staff were axed, there were many who expected Byrne to become a similar victim of staff pruning.

Acknowledged Simpson this week: "I know the feeling was that there are not many directors of football in the First Division.

"He was still working for the company as general manager when I first became chairman and, in my first six months, I paid special attention to what Terry was doing.

"I became very impressed with the strength he bought to the job he was doing. It was purely my idea to make him director of football. He has excellent organisational skills, very good communication, was loyal and has the energy to work long hours.

"It was obvious everyone had high regard for him: players, manager and our own staff, and his overall standing within the football community was very high.

Byrne, a former taxi driver, who became involved with Chelsea as a masseur, is hopeful of continuing as a masseur for England.

"I am disappointed to be leaving particularly at a time when the club has gone through such difficult times and I have a major role to play in that," he said.

"However, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came up and after speaking to both Ray and the chairman at length and receiving their blessing and support, I have decided to accept what I believe to be a very exciting future career."

For the full report, don't miss this week's edition of The Watford Observer.