Gold Coast SUNS Chairman, Tony Cochrane and Chief Executive, Mark Evans have today release the following statements.
Tony Cochrane
“As you may be aware, the Board has directed Mark to complete a comprehensive assessment of the football department and the senior coach role is a key part of that.
“Our Board met yesterday where Mark updated us on the progress of that report and although there are many elements of the assessment that are yet to be completed, during the meeting we agreed that we would seek a new coach to lead us through our next phase.
“Once that direction had been determined, we believed it was only right that we informed Rodney of our position as soon as possible.
“On behalf of the board I want to thank Rodney for his input, impact and influence on our football.
“As a then Director of the club we were very much seeking for Rodney Eade to bring discipline and professionalism to our young club and he did that in spades.
“As the Chairman I thank him for the leadership and knowledge he brought to the role.
“There is no point in gilding the lily, this is an industry, a sport that is guided by wins and losses. Unfortunately that judgement is a harsh assessment for Rodney and we have to look to the future.”
Mark Evans
“Last night I met with Rodney Eade to inform him his coaching contract would not be extended beyond 2017.
“Earlier in the season, Rodney and I discussed his contract options and we agreed that I would tell him as soon as a decision had been made either way.
“When someone has done as much for the game as Rodney, having played 259 game and coached 377 games, I believed he had earnt the right for this.
“It wasn’t an easy item to discuss, but I must say Rodney handled it extremely well.
“The Gold Coast Suns is a better football club for having Rodney at its helm over the last three seasons. His role in lifting the professionalism and standards and influencing the team’s culture is widely acknowledged.
“Rodney's investment in our emerging leaders is clear and the off-season appointments of Tom Lynch and Steven May as Captains is testament to that.
“Ultimately we have determined our next phase will not be led by Rodney.
“I'm sure his impact on our club will be recognised and celebrated in the future.
“The possibility of Rodney coaching out the remainder of the 2017 season was discussed, but we all believed it was in the best interest of the club for Rodney to step aside, effective immediately.
“Now is not the time to communicate our next steps, however, in the interim Dean Solomon will assume the role of senior coach for the reminder of the 2017 season.
“On behalf of everyone involved at the club we thank Rodney, his wife Wendy and their family for their contributions to our football club and we wish them all the very best in the future.”
