David Burke follows Sami Hyypia out of the Albion

David Burke, Brighton and Hove Albion's head of football operations, has left the club.

The Albion announced his departure via their Twitter account after a morning of speculation surrounding Burke's job.

It potentially signals a change of structure for the Seagulls and could open the door to mooted managerial candidates like Tony Pulis and Tim Sherwood, both of whom would be more keen on the Amex job if given more control than was previously afforded to Hyypia and his predecessor Oscar Garcia.

Burke's job had come under almost as intense scrutiny as Hyypia's after a raft of summer signings failed to have the desired impact on the Albion starting 11. Brighton have also become over-reliant on loan signings.

He was, however, instrumental in the success of the Albion's new training ground and academy complex at Lancing which received rave reviews from footballing authorities.

Tony Bloom, the Albion chairman, said: "With Sami Hyypia's resignation earlier this week, we felt it was right for the club to re-evaluate the football set-up.

"David's been with us for three years, and I would like to thank him for all his hard work and endeavour on behalf of the club during that time.

"There is no question he has done an exceptional job in helping with the design of the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre and in putting in place a first-class infrastructure in the football, academy and sports science areas of the club.

"David's work in helping to establish the club's first-ever academy and to quickly gain category one status in the new world of the EPPP guidelines is highly appreciated by myself and by everyone at the club.

"He's also helped to put in place our scouting department, and his work in all these areas will stand us in very good stead for the future.

"On behalf of the board I would like to thank David for these achievements and to wish him the very best for the future."

Paul Winstanley, the Albion's recently-appointed player identification manager, will now head the club's network of scouts and work with the new manager to drive the Seagulls' recruitment during the forthcoming January transfer window.

Bloom confirmed: 'Paul Winstanley, who joined us from Derby County earlier this year, will now assist the new manager, once appointed, and myself in any January transfer activity.

"Paul will also be supported by our senior scouting team of Darren Wrack, Ian Pearce and Jamie Johnson and our team of football analysts."

Burke himself added: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at Brighton and Hove Albion and the club will always have a special place in my heart. I wish the club all the very best in its ambition to reach the top.

"I'm proud of much of what we have achieved in many areas with the development of the training ground and academy, and particularly with the recruitment and development of the club's young and up-and-coming stars such as Rohan Ince and Christian Walton.

"I would like to thank Tony Bloom and Paul Barber for the chance to work for such a good club, and for their support throughout my time; I would also like to thank all the staff who have worked with me, they've been superb and are a credit to the club."