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It was heralded as a groundbreaking move last January, when Alouettes general manager Kavis Reed hired Catherine Raîche as one of his two assistants.

But on Monday, after news broke on social media of her sudden resignation, the Canadian Football League team’s image, already at one of its lowest points following a 3-15 season, appears on the surface to be even more tarnished — especially after the bright 28-year-old admitted in an interview with the Montreal Gazette she wants to remain in football.

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“I don’t feel (the Als) are the best option for me right now,” she said. “I don’t want to say anything bad and I want to remain respectful. They gave me my chance. The Wetenhalls (owners Robert and Andrew) approved my hiring or I wouldn’t be here.

“For my own personal growth, I believe this is the best thing.”

Raîche put a promising career in corporate and tax law on hold when she joined the Als in 2015, initially working in a consulting role before being hired on a full-time basis the following year as the co-ordinator of football administration. She was viewed as a strong asset, first by GM Jim Popp, then by Reed when he replaced Popp in December 2016.