It appears that Bahrain McLaren's coaching change is not yet over, as coach John Allert has not signed a contract for next year, although Cyclingnews reported last week that Rod Ellingworth, who left Bahrain McLaren, will return to the Ineos Grenadiers, The uncertainty surrounding Allert effectively means that two-thirds of the team's three leading staff members have either left or are out of contract. All that is certain now is that the team's managing director, Milan Elsen, will have a role next season.

The structure at the beginning of the year was Ellingworth as team president, Allert as director, and Elsen as managing director. Allard has more than a decade of experience working with McLaren through their partnership, which began in 2020. He was instrumental in bringing Ellingworth to the team for the 2019 season, and the two worked together to build a team that could win the Tour de France in the future.

With the team finishing fourth in this year's Tour with Mikel Landa, that goal seemed possible, but while McLaren struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic and was forced to announce 1,200 job cuts in May, the team has seen staff and riders receive significant wage deferrals

The team was also plagued by financial problems, as staff and players were forced to take large wage deferrals (up to 70% in some cases).

Last week, Ellingworth and Bahrain McLaren announced that he would be leaving the team with immediate effect. Ellingworth submitted his resignation while visiting Bahrain to meet with the team's backers and told the media that he wanted to work closely with the young riders.

Also last week, there were several suggestions that Ellingworth might return to Ineos after a year and a half away, with several other teams distancing themselves from the possibility. On Friday, Elsen claimed to know nothing about Ellingworth's destination, but on Monday evening, Ineos' Dave Brailsford informed the players and staff that Ellingworth would be returning to the British team as team racing director. It is unclear what exactly Ellingworth's duties will cover, but it is likely that he will take on some of the responsibilities that the late Nicholas Portal oversaw.

McLaren has effectively severed ties with the team next year, so Assert's role is unknown. According to Elsen, the Australian was not contracted directly with the team, but through the McLaren organization. Speaking to Cycling News, Allert admitted that he still hopes to remain in the sport, although he has no concrete plans within the team for next year.

"I have great affection for the team and what they are trying to achieve, but I have not agreed on my role with Team Bahrain Victorious for 2021.

"However, I do not agree with the 2021 Team Bahrain Victorious on the division of roles.

"I am very proud of the value the team created for the McLaren brand throughout the year and I thank the many partners, riders, staff and fans who supported the team. Watching the riders win races in our jerseys has been as rewarding as anything I have experienced in Formula One."

Elsevier's team manager, Jacques Villeneuve, said, "I am very proud to have been a part of this team.

Elsen admitted that he had not yet made a decision regarding Allert and that no recruiting plan had yet been drawn up to replace Ellingworth.

"At the moment John has left McLaren, but we are still working with him in some areas. We will find out sooner or later. We have time now and we will see how we work together in the future. We will decide in the next three or four weeks how we are going to proceed. So far, everything is fine and all departments are working at the highest level. He is not part of the team, he is part of McLaren. He is part of McLaren, he was never part of the team."

When asked about a possible replacement for Ellingworth, he said, "At the moment, no.

"I think we're going to check the resources within the team and divide up the work. I'm talking to some people right now, but I don't think we need to make a decision right now or in the next few weeks. The most important thing is that everything is moving forward."