Upset by what he considers the "shabby" and "unconscionable" treatment of his client, the agent for Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green said late Thursday night that he will push for an expeditious resolution to what now appears a fractured relationship, and is hopeful of avoiding a messy public divorce proceeding.

Reached at his home in Atlanta, agent Ray Anderson told ESPN.com that the best thing for all involved is to part ways before the Vikings' season finale Monday night, the last game of the 2001 regular season. His goal, he said, is to settle the matter as early as Friday, if possible.

"Why create a public spectacle, a freak show really, on national television?" Anderson said. "It's bad enough this thing had to be dragged into public view (Thursday), with the Rose Bowl and the national championship being contested, and the Vikings preparing for a game. If they want to be rid of Denny, then let's let it happen, let's get it over with."

ESPN's Chris Mortensen first reported Thursday evening that, barring a change of heart by Minnesota owner Red McCombs, Green will be fired after Monday's game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Anderson said that he did not question the validity of the report, since he believed that it originated from sources close to McCombs, and suggested the initiative for a coaching change actually began a month ago or more.

He declined to comment when asked if Green believes he will be dismissed. McCombs did not return several messages left for him.

"I'm disgusted and angered by the manner in which Red McCombs, either implicitly or otherwise, has 'cheap-shotted' Denny Green," said Anderson. "With everything Denny has done, everything he has accomplished for that organization over the last 10 years, you would think he deserved better. But obviously, some people don't agree with that, and that is clear now. Actually, it was clear even before this."

Sources said that Green was to have met with McCombs early next week, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday in Minneapolis, for the annual review of the franchise. Those sources claimed Green would be dismissed during those sessions.

Anderson would not confirm that his client nearly resigned in mid-November, when either McCombs or one of the owner's representatives suggested Green fire longtime assistant coach and close friend Richard Solomon. Another source close to Green said Thursday that was the case.

But several times on Thursday night Anderson reiterated that Green had no intention of resigning and essentially forfeiting the salary due him. Green has two more seasons left on his contract and the Vikings have an option for a third season, the 2004 campaign. The contract is worth $3 million annually so, if McCombs fires Green, he will be on the hook for $6 million.

"But Dennis Green is neither a quitter nor a stupid man," Anderson said. "I'll just allow that statement to speak for itself."

The agent -- who represents four current NFL head coaches, new Notre Dame sideline boss Tyrone Willingham and several prominent assistant coaches in the league -- said he felt McCombs or operatives of the owner in recent weeks purposely attempted to create an untenable situation aimed at forcing Green's resignation. He said there were leaks that suggested ownership would try to usurp some of Green's authority by perhaps bringing in a front office type to oversee personnel decisions, currently under the coach's purview.

A separate league source told ESPN.com that, in such a scenario, Green might be able to make a case for breach of contract.

"It's apparent now," Anderson said, "that for weeks now Red McCombs has been trying to undermine his coach. He tried to create an environment in which he goaded or prodded Dennis into quitting. The bottom line, I guess, is that he failed. And having failed that, he will now have to fire him, and the sooner the better, as far as we are concerned."

The team, Anderson said, has not initiated settlement discussions on Green's contract. And the agent said that, despite his attempts, he was unable to reach high-ranking club officials on Thursday evening. But Anderson is confident that, by Friday, the same team officials who dodged him Thursday will return his calls.

"It's funny how unavailable those people all made themselves (on Thursday)," he said. "But I'm sure there will be some sort of discussions by Friday, don't you think? They're the ones who fired this cannonball into the air. It's just not going to hang there now."

Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.