Adam Simpson’s tenure as coach of West Coast has come to an end with the club and premiership leader parting ways on Tuesday morning.
After weeks of speculation, the Eagles confirmed the decision in a statement that Simpson would leave the position immediately.
“The West Coast Eagles and senior coach Adam Simpson have mutually agreed that his 11-year tenure at the club will come to an end,” the statement said.
“Simpson, one of only six senior coaches in the 37-year history of the club and one of only three to lead the club to premiership glory, achieved the ultimate success in 2018 to join Michael Malthouse (1992, 1994) and John Worsfold (2006) in bringing the cup to WA.”
West Coast were set to hold an annual mid-year board meeting today with Simpson’s tenure firmly on the agenda after two disappointing losses to Hawthorn and Melbourne.
It comes despite Simpson still having more than a year to run on his contract, which doesn’t expire until the end of next year.
Under Simpson, the Eagles have won only three games this season and eight since the start of the 2022 season, claiming the wooden spoon for the second time in their club history in 2023.
He was set to equal Mick Malthouse for the second most games coached at the Eagles on 243 this weekend and has a winning record of 50.62.
The club will hold a media conference today at Mineral Resources Park where Chair Paul Fitzpatrick, CEO Don Pyke and Simpson will be available at 12.30pm.
Senior players, including co-captains Oscar Allen and Liam Duggan, and several premiership stars were late to training following the news.
Allen didn’t last long as he left the track gingerly after he took some heavy knocks against Melbourne at the weekend.