Alama Ieremia has resigned as Samoa head coach, the country's rugby union announced on Saturday.
Ieremia steps down from the position less than a month after his side finished last in the Pacific Nations Cup - a tournament which acted as a World Cup qualifier.
The three-nation competition saw Fiji and Tonga qualify for the 2019 World Cup in Japan as winners and runners-up, leaving Samoa to face a second-tier European country in a repechage fixture to qualify for the global showpiece.
Before moving into coaching, the 46-year-old made five international appearances for the now defunct national side Western Samoa and was later selected to play for New Zealand, gaining 30 caps with the All Blacks.
Ieremia took up his first coaching role in 2005, as assistant coach at Japanese side Suntory Sungoliath.
Spells at Wellington Lions and the Hurricanes followed before he moved to Samoa to take up the position of assistant coach, later going on to replace Stephen Betham as head coach.
Ieremia said: "It is with a very heavy heart that I have decided to stand down as head coach of Manu Samoa.
"I took on this role knowing the challenging circumstances and the changing profile and landscape of international rugby for Manu Samoa.
"Although the goal was to win and build towards the World Cup in Japan, the losses of this campaign have proven too costly for everyone.
"I feel I still have much to give this role so I'm hugely disappointed with this outcome, but as head coach, I alone must take full responsibility for our results.
"I believe my decision today is the best one for our beloved Manu Samoa team."