Rabobank manager, Theo de Rooy has resigned, according to a team statement issued Friday.

De Rooy became the center of some controversy on July 25th, when he dismissed Michael Rasmussen from the team, while the Danish rider was leading the Tour de France.

The team said that de Rooy had “decided to step down, in consultation with the Rabobank.”

De Rooy fired Rasmussen for allegedly lying about his whereabouts in an attempt to avoid out-of-competition doping tests. Rasmussen, who has vehemently denied the accusations, missed tests in May and June.

The two-time Tour de France climber’s jersey winner said he was in Mexico at the time, but at least one witness placed him in Italy during the time in question.

“After the disappointments in the last Tour de France, de Rooy wants to have the time and peace to consider his future. Rabobank understands and respects this decision,” the statement noted.

A former member of the team, De Rooy became manager in 2003 and was named general director in 2004.

“This parting is very hard for me, very very hard,” he said. “The team is my life and my love. But I didn’t see any other choice.”

The team also named an investigative panel to look into events surrounding this year’s Tour and Rasmussen’s firing in particular.