Olympic champion Kim Yuna has fired her coach Brian Orser less than six months after he guided her to glory at the Vancouver Games.

"Meehee Park, Kim's mother,...met with Brian Orser...and informed the two-time Olympic medalist that he would no longer be retained to coach Kim," Orser's management IMG said in a statement.

"No reason was given for the sudden and unexpected decision."

Orser was told he was being fired on August 2 but had delayed making any announcement as he had hoped to work things out.

Kim's management company AT Sports later released a statement saying relations between the duo had been "uncomfortable" since May and that South Korea's only Olympic figure skating gold medalist had been training alone since June.

"I am grateful to the coach, Brian Orser, for being with me to help win the Olympics. I hope he may teach other athletes and achieve good results," Kim said in a statement. Under Orser, Kim captured a series of titles, including the world title in 2009.

"I am honored to have worked with such a talented and gifted skater," said Orser. "I wish her all the best as she moves forward in her skating career."

Forbes magazine lists Kim as one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world, with annual earnings of almost $10 million. (Editing by Clare Fallon)