KEIGHLEY Cougars have confirmed the shock departure of head coach Rhys Lovegrove after four years in charge.

The decision to part company with the Australian was made in the wake of Cougars’ poor 46-18 home defeat to Sheffield Eagles in the Betfred Championship on Sunday afternoon.

The result leaves Cougars ninth in the 14-team table, with their next game on Sunday, May 28 against neighbours Bradford Bulls at the Summer Bash.

Bulls are also on the hunt for a new head coach, after Mark Dunning left the club last Monday after his side’s humiliating 46-12 league defeat at Barrow.

That leaves both of the Championship’s Bradford District clubs looking for a new man at the helm, and in a club statement confirming Lovegrove’s departure, Cougars CEO Ryan O’Neill said: “We would like to thank Rhys for his commitment and service to the club.

“It is disappointing that results have not reflected the hard work and commitment that he has undoubtedly shown. He leaves with our very best wishes.”

Lovegrove himself added: “Having been at the club for four years, it has been a honour and privilege to lead the club as head coach.

“I would like to thank the performance staff, some often going above and beyond, and the players and I wish all concerned the very best for the future.”

Cougars have confirmed that assistant coach and Jamaica international Jy-mel Coleman will take over as head coach on an interim basis.

He will have the support of Jordie Hedges, Dean Muir and Jake Webster, with the latter stepping up to become director of rugby.

Lovegrove arrived at Cougar Park as assistant coach ahead of the 2019 season, then took charge of in June 2019, following the departure of the popular Craig Lingard.

Lingard has gone on to impress at Keighley’s fellow Championship club Batley, and was appointed as assistant coach at Super League side Castleford earlier this month, a role he will combine with his job at the Bulldogs until the end of this season, before leaving Mount Pleasant to commit fully to the Tigers.

Yet despite the initial disappointment surrounding Lingard’s departure, Lovegrove has taken Keighley to another level, aided by marquee signings like Webster, Dane Chisholm, Ben Crooks and Luke Gale.

His side gave us a taste of what was to come in 2021 finishing fourth in League 1, and only being knocked out of the play-offs after last-gasp defeats to Workington Town and Doncaster.

And Keighley romped to the third-tier title last year, winning all 20 of their league games.

With the likes of Crooks and Gale, as well as Mark Ioane and Tom Doyle, added to the mix for this season, Cougars have impressed at times.

Their wins against York, now led by Lovegrove’s former head of rugby at Keighley Andrew Henderson, and Bradford particular highlights.

But those in charge were clearly not fully satisfied, and the Australian’s time at the club has come to an end.

Keighley have confirmed that they will be holding a forum at Cougar Park this Friday, where fans can speak with board members and staff in a Q&A style format.