Tuesday 19 May 2015 19:03, UK
Head coach James Webster has left struggling Wakefield after just 11 months in the role.
Webster, 35, becomes the first coaching casualty of Super League XX just 48 hours after the Wildcats suffered a 36-30 home defeat to Championship side Leigh in the sixth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, having squandered a 22-0 lead.
Former Featherstone forward Stuart Dickens, Webster's assistant, has been named as interim coach as they begin the search for a successor.
Wakefield chairman Michael Carter said: "It is with a heavy heart that I have today agreed the release of James Webster from his position of head coach."
Australia-born Webster, a former player with Hull KR and Widnes, became Super League's youngest head coach when he stepped up from the role of assistant to succeed Richard Agar last June and enjoyed immediate success, guiding Wakefield to four wins and a draw in his first five matches as they comfortably avoided relegation.
The Wildcats began the 2015 season with back-to-back wins over Castleford and Hull KR but have since suffered 11 successive defeats - including a Super League record 80-0 mauling by Warrington - which have left them seven points adrift at the foot of the table.
Carter added: "James rescued us last season from the threat of relegation and for that I am truly thankful.
"I wish James and his family every success and happiness in the future and thank him for all his hard work in his four years here.”
Tuesday's announcement comes as little surprise and Webster, who has been working with the lowest budget in Super League, spoke of his frustration in Sunday's post-match press conference when he revealed has unsuccessfully tried to offload players in a bid to shake up his struggling team.
In a statement, Webster said: "I felt now was the right time to allow someone else the opportunity to take the team forward.
"In taking this decision, my hope is it will allow the club to fulfil its goal and remain in Super League.
"I would like to thank both Michael and (director) Chris (Brereton) for the opportunity and wish everyone at the Wildcats the best for the future."
Wakefield's next match is against Widnes at Belle Vue on Sunday.
