Nathan Brown has coached the Warriors for the last time, with the coach and club parting ways effective immediately.
Brown’s future has been the subject of increasing speculation in recent weeks, with the Warriors languishing in 14th spot on the ladder with just four wins from 13 matches.
They’ve lost seven of their last eight matches, conceding 70 points to the Melbourne Storm in round seven, and going down 44-12 to an understrength Manly on the weekend.
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Assistant coach Stacey Jones will take the reigns for the rest of the season, with the club now hunting for a permanent replacement.
It has been reported that Tonga coach Kristian Woolf, who has had a successful stint in the UK Super League, is a front-runner.
On Monday night, Nine’s Danny Weidler reported Brown had informed Warriors officials he couldn’t commit to living in New Zealand. The club is due to return home next month after being based in Australia since the pandemic hit in 2020.
“Nathan told us he had made a personal decision that for family reasons he wouldn’t be able to relocate to New Zealand as originally planned for the long term,” said club boss Cameron George.
“We fully appreciate his position and the call he has made.
“Given those circumstances we agreed we needed to make an immediate change.”
Brown was 18 months into a three-year deal, and was contracted until the end of the 2023 season.
“It’s tough for everyone involved but, in the best interests of the club, we felt we had to go in a different direction now,” George said.
“Nathan has worked so hard for our club and we are extremely disappointed it has come to this. We’re truly grateful for what he has done and wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”
Brown’s departure comes just weeks after front-rower Matt Lodge asked for, and was granted an immediate release. Lodge also said his family would not commit to living long-term in New Zealand.
Brown is the second NRL coach to fall on his sword in the space of a month, following Trent Barrett’s decision to quit as Bulldogs coach.
The Warriors play the Sharks on Sunday.
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