Monday 21 May 2018 12:18, UK
Wigan Warriors head coach Shaun Wane is to leave the Super League club at the end of the 2018 season.
Wane has been in charge of the Warriors since 2012 and has twice guided the club to Super League Grand Final victories in 2013 and 2016, in addition to a Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and World Club Challenge.
The 53-year-old will leave the club at the end of the current campaign after handing in his resignation, and says it is "time to seek a new challenge".
"Regrettably I have decided to announce my resignation as Head Coach of Wigan Warriors with the 2018 season being my last in charge," said Wane, in a statement released by Wigan on Monday.
"Throughout my playing and coaching career I have enjoyed unparalleled success in all areas.
"The town of Wigan and the Club will always remain special to me however I feel that now is the right time for me to seek a new challenge and direction in my professional career.
"As Head Coach, I have taken the Club to six major finals, winning three, given debuts to 37 players from the Wigan Academy and won a World Club Challenge, to name but a few.
"These accolades have given me both personal and professional satisfaction and the memories will remain with me evermore."
Wane made his first-team debut as a player for Wigan in 1982 and went on to amass 150 appearances for the club before finishing his career at Leeds Rhinos and Workington.
The former prop forward returned to the club as a scout in 1992 and was head coach by chairman Ian Lenagan in 2012 to succeed Michael Maguire.
''Shaun Wane will leave Wigan Rugby League Club in the knowledge that his place in Wigan's history is guaranteed," said Lenagan.
"I feel certain that his decision to leave will have been a difficult one but he is a winner who wants to advance his career and challenge himself further on a different stage, having won everything with Wigan.
"He has developed from being a tough and uncompromising Rugby League prop in his playing days to become an equally tough and uncompromising Head Coach but with exceptional technical, tactical and player-motivational skills and a fearsome winning mentality.
"He has provided Wigan Rugby League Club with some memorable moments in the past six years and I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey that we have been on together."
Lenagan added: "In terms of a replacement, Wigan will not rush into an appointment as Shaun goes on to complete his final season."
