Under-siege Anthony Seibold has stepped down as Brisbane Broncos coach, effective immediately.
Addressing media on Wednesday, Seibold has admitted his 2020 results haven't been good enough and cited that lack of performance as key in his decision to walk away two years into a five-year deal.
"Ultimately, I'm in charge of what happens on the field," he says. "I could've stayed for the final five games and do a review at the end of the year, but I wanted to be fair to the club.
"I'm not afraid to say I cried in front of the players. It was an emotional morning saying goodbye to the players - plenty of hugs and you connect with people.
"You're not going to connect with everyone, but you're in the footy team and a locker room. It's always emotional when you say goodbye."
Seibold has been at the centre of nasty off-field social media rumours that have seen him take legal action.
His position as coach has been the focal point of discussion around the NRL, with the club winning just one game since play resumed from COVID-19 in May.
Seibold took a leave of absence last month to spend time with his daughter, amid reports she was in ill-health.
"In regards to the off-field stuff, I can't control the narrative of the media or what is said on social media," he says.
"I think the final straw was hopping back on a plane from Sydney, when I wanted to be with my daughter.
"There's no doubt [scrutiny] is big in a one-team town, but you [media] drive that narrative."
Regarding his ongoing legal proceedings, Seibold says he will address the situation at a later date, as his team continues to investigate and potentially prosecute the culprits.
"I've been in a bubble, so haven't been able to get in front of a solicitor or the police. I've had some people reach out.
"There needs to be a change in the legislation for online bullying and social media, but that's for another time."
The embattled 45-year-old admits the pressure got to him and warns other potential coaches to be prepared for the spotlight.
"Head coaches know that there is no finger-pointing and no deflection of blame when a club struggles.
"But these events haven’t dampened my enthusiasm for coaching or wanting to help others achieve. In fact, they have made me more determined.
"Head coaching in the NRL isn’t for the faint of heart, I know that."
Former Cowboys coach Paul Green and Queensland mentor Kevin Walters are frontrunners for the Brisbane role in 2021, while Seibold's assistant, Peter Gentle, will take over the reins for the rest of this season.
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