Nathan Brown leaves Huddersfield (From St Helens Star)

Nathan Brown leaves Huddersfield

4:39pm Monday 16th July 2012 in Sport

Huddersfield have parted company with head coach Nathan Brown, just 24 hours after their Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final defeat by Warrington.

The 38-year-old Brown was due to leave the Giants at the end of the season, his fourth with the West Yorkshire club, to take up a three-year contract with St Helens. But Huddersfield have brought his departure forward after a slump that saw them win just one of their last eight matches and plummeted from the top of Super League to seventh.

Brown's assistant Paul Anderson, who was due to become head coach in November, will take over immediately and prepare the side for Sunday's home game against Wakefield.

"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," said Huddersfield managing director Richard Thewlis.

Brown insisted after Sunday's 33-6 defeat by the Wolves that he had no intention of leaving early, despite revealing that the players had prompted a radical change in tactics, but 24 hours later he accepted his fate with typical grace.

"I am sorry that my time has ended earlier than probably anyone would have wished but I understand the club's decision," he said in a statement issued by the club.

"I have had a great time at the club and will cherish some superb memories and have made some life-long friends amongst the players, coaches, staff and supporters.

"In particular my support staff, led by Paul Anderson, have been wonderful and I wish them every success going forward, especially Paul who I hope will get the group to a strong finish to the season."