US President Donald Trump said Saturday that White House chief of staff John Kelly will leave office by the end of this month.
Trump, a former Marine general, described him as a loyal assistant during his tenure.
"He is a great person," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for Philadelphia to attend the annual football game between the Army and Navy teams. "He is a great person ... I appreciate his service very much."
"We will announce who will replace John," he said.
Trump was appointed Kelly last year to restore order to the often chaotic White House, but there has been a clash more than once in the past few months.
According to a White House official, Trump is consulting with Nick Ayers, deputy assistant to Mike Bens, to replace Kelly.
"The president and Ayers are still consulting on the terms," the official told Reuters.
Trump wanted him to take the job for two years, but Ayers could not do so because of his family.
The White House official said that "the president and Nick (Ayers) are still discussing the specific conditions for him to take office."
