The architect behind the success of Great Britain’s male gymnasts is considering taking legal action against British Gymnastics and believes he may have been sacked for airing his discontent about contracts elite athletes were required to sign.

Eddie van Hoof said he was dismayed to discover he had been dismissed from his role as men’s national head coach at British Gymnastics following his suspension for alleged misconduct last November. Van Hoof said he believes it may have been “more than a coincidence” that he was dismissed after clashing with management over contracts in the world-class performance programme which leading stars including Max Whitlock and Nile Wilson originally declined to sign.

Van Hoof was named UK coach of the year in 2016 after leading Britain’s male gymnasts to a record medal haul at the Rio Olympics. But he was suspended by British Gymnastics last year after allegations were made of misconduct. His downfall is the latest in a series of controversies to hit the beleaguered governing body.

“My main concern about the agreements was the way in which they were presented to athletes,” Van Hoof told the Guardian. “There was a widespread expectation that athletes would simply sign the new contracts without question. However, the athletes had received very little explanation about the content and the heavy legal terminology caused confusion about the meaning and implications of the agreements. After a long and unblemished career, I believe it may be more than a coincidence that a disciplinary process commenced so soon after I raised concerns around management issues at British Gymnastics, including the handling of the contracts.”

Van Hoof, a former competitive gymnast, is now considering his options. He claims the only reasoning he was given for his sacking was insubordination towards the performance director, James Thomas, bullying behaviour towards an unspecified employee and combative language or behaviour towards unspecified athletes.

“These allegations are basic outlines,” said Van Hoof. “There is no clear detail or supporting examples, which make them hard to examine or challenge. Nonetheless, these accusations in no way match my own recollection of my behaviour or my contribution to British Gymnastics over the last decade.”

Van Hoof said he cooperated fully with an independent investigation ordered by the governing body, spending several hours being interviewed by a person who the investigator had engaged to conduct interviews.

British Gymnastics said Van Hoof’s contract had been terminated because of “irreconcilable differences”. The governing body refused to comment on Van Hoof’s allegations that it was motivated by concerns he raised about the contracts. But the Guardian understands that Van Hoof’s views on the content of the contracts – which have now been signed by 48 of 51 athletes – was considered one of these irreconcilable differences.