Newcastle Thunder have announced the departure of head coach Stanley Gene, the former Huddersfield Giants star.
The former Papua New Guinea international, who coached the Kumuls in the 2010 Four Nations Series, was out of contract and has left the Kingstone Press League 1 club with immediate effect.
Gene, a favourite with Hull KR for most of his colourful playing career, guided Thunder to the League 1 play-offs in his first season in charge in 2014 but, this year, they have finished eighth in the 14-team division.
Newcastle chairman Bill Midgeley said: “Stanley has done a good job over the last two seasons, helping to progress the club up to where it is today.
“We have, however, agreed that we are at a point in time where both parties feel they can progress further by going their separate ways.
“I’d like to take the time to thank Stanley for all his work here at Thunder and wish him all the very best for the future.”
The club say they will advertise the vacancy.
Gene, 41, played 76 matches for the Giants between 2001 and 2005 before signing from Bradford Bulls.
The John Smith’s Stadium club signed him from Hull FC, where he had one season after leaving Rovers, where he had made 111 appearances in a four-year stay.
He returned to Rovers after his spell at Bradford, making another 55 appearances, before joining Halifax. He was appointed coach at Thunder in September, 2013.
