Coach Matthew Elliott will leave the New Zealand Warriors in the wake of a 37-6 thrashing by the Cronulla Sharks, the National Rugby League (NRL) club announced Monday.
The Warriors said Elliott had "resigned with immediate effect" and would be replaced by assistant Andrew McFadden for the rest of the season, although media in New Zealand reported he had been sacked.
"I have learned a lot from Matt and am saddened that he has made this decision," chairman Bill Wavish said in a statement.
"It speaks volumes of his character and integrity and I personally wish him well."
Elliott was appointed coach in October 2012 but failed to lift the Warriors' fortunes.
They have won just two of their five matches this season and the humiliating loss to Cronulla, who are bottom of the ladder, was believed to be the final straw.
Chief executive Wayne Scurrah said McFadden, 36, "is widely recognised as a leader of the next generation of coaches in the very competitive NRL competition".
Source: AFP
