Super League side Huddersfield Giants have decided to release coach Nathan Brown from his contract early.
The 38-year-old was due to leave the club at the end of the season, with his role being handed to assistant Paul Anderson.
However, managing director Richard Thewlis has revealed that club brought forward their plans due to a poor run of form.
"Clearly all can see that we have not performed to a level that we are confident this squad is capable of and as a consequence we have today agreed that Nathan will leave the club and Paul will move forward as head coach," he told the club's official website.
"This was the intention we announced at the end of last season however events have led to the need to bring this change forward. It is a sad day when the coach leaves any club and I pay tribute to the enormous contribution that Nathan has made to the Giants in his three and a half years with us.
"We remain in a playoff position in Super League and believe that the move today is in the best interest of all concerned and gives us the best opportunity to cement as high as position as possible in the run to the end of the season."
Brown had been in charge since 2009.
Liam Apicella
