Leeds have announced the immediate departure of rugby director Andy Key, with Neil Back now in sole charge of the first team.
Former England flanker Back to take sole charge of first team
Leeds have announced the departure of director of rugby Andy Key with immediate effect.
Key moved to Headingley in 2008 to form a new management team with former England flanker Neil Back, who became head coach.
The pair led Carnegie to promotion in their first season in charge and last year helped the Yorkshire club retain their top-flight status.
However, they are currently stuck at the foot of the Aviva Premiership, three points behind nearest rivals Newcastle Falcons, having claimed just one league win all season.
Sole charge
Key - who was voted Premiership's rugby director of the season last term - has paid the price for the side's current position in the table, with Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington announcing that Back will now be in sole charge.
"This was a tough decision to make however we felt it was important that we took the decision as part of overall vision for our rugby operation," Hetherington said on Leeds' website.
"Neil Back will now be in sole charge of all team matters and I, as chief executive, will take up some of the other areas that Andy was responsible for. We will not be looking to appoint a new director of rugby.
"We would like to thank Andy for his outstanding contribution to the club in his time here and he leaves with our best wishes."
Key was a member of Leicester's first-team coaching staff and also headed up the Tigers academy before moving to Leeds.
Proud
"I am proud of the achievements we have made at Leeds Carnegie during my time at the club," he said.
"While I am disappointed not to be seeing the vision through to its conclusion, having met with the management, I understand the direction they want to take the club in.
"We have worked exceptionally hard since 2008 to take the club into a positive and professional position, and I wish the team and the club all the very best for the future.
"It has been a difficult season for Leeds Carnegie. However, I feel that we have made big strides in recent weeks and I have every confidence that the team will continue that good work."
Back's first game in charge on his own is against Saracens at Vicarage Road on Sunday; they then host 11th-placed Newcastle seven days later in a crunch clash between two relegation rivals.
