North Queensland Cowboys have officially axed coach Paul Green.
On Monday, the NRL club announced the end of Green's seven-year tenure in Townsville, which was one of the longest-serving reigns in the competition.
The Cowboys' 22-10 defeat to Penrith Panthers on Sunday proved the final straw, sinking the team to 12th on the NRL ladder.
"The board felt that the club was at a juncture where they needed to move in a different direction and I can only respect their views," says Green.
"Whilst this is obviously disappointing news, I am grateful to the board for allowing me to lead this club, whilst creating some lifelong memories.
"I will use this next period to freshen up, spend some time with my family and assess options, before moving on to my next coaching role."
Green guided the club to two Grand Finals, including its maiden premiership in 2015.
Assistant coach Josh Hanny will take over as interim head coach for the rest of their campaign.
Forty-seven-year-old Green will likely be on the NZ Warriors' radar, with the Auckland-based club entering the thick of its recruitment process for its vacant head coach position, after Stephen Kearney was let go last month.
Green becomes the third coach sacked already this year, following Kearney and Dean Pay’s exit from Canterbury Bulldogs last week.
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