Garcia's departure was confirmed on Thursday, with Australian Professional Leagues (APL) chairman Stephen Conroy announced as executive chairman.
The surprise move came just a day after Garcia was spruiking the A-Leagues' metrics across their summer of football in a league media release.
On Thursday evening, the APL confirmed Conroy's new executive role, with a "mandate to complete transformation of organisation" - in a statement that didn't mention Garcia.
"The board of the Australian Professional Leagues has been driving a comprehensive organisational transformation throughout 2024 to strengthen the future of Australian men's and women's professional football," the APL said in the statement.
"With significant progress made both on and off the field, the board has unanimously asked chairman Stephen Conroy to take on an executive role to lead the final phase of this transformation.
"As executive chairman, Conroy will oversee the optimisation of APL's operations. Once this process is complete, he will return to his non-executive role."
Garcia's departure, understood to be effective immediately, means the APL has one less figurehead, with former Labor senator Conroy to oversee a critical point for the leagues.
The formation of a potential ALM club in Canberra has again been delayed and won't be in place for next season, also leaving a cloud over ALW team Canberra United.
The men's team was meant to enter the league in 2025-26.
The A-League Men and Women collective bargaining agreement expires next year, and Garcia was set to play a crucial role on the APL's side of negotiations.
The A-Leagues had been working to stabilise after a difficult time in recent years.
A year ago the APL had to make massive staff cuts in a restructure, including closing down its digital arm.
Distributions to clubs from the broadcast deal were also heavily cut ahead of this season.
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