Andy Key quits struggling Leeds Carnegie

Leeds are currently bottom of the Aviva Premiership, three points behind 11th-placed Newcastle, having claimed just one league win all season.

Key joined Leeds along with current head coach and former England flanker Neil Back in 2008. He was named the Premiership’s rugby director of the season last term.

The club said a decision had been taken to restructure its management. Back will now be in charge of team matters, with no moves made to appoint a new rugby director.

Chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “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.

“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.

Key said: “I am proud of the achievements we have made at Leeds Carnegie during my time at the club.

“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.”

Leeds have 10 games left in the Premiership campaign, starting with Sunday’s clash against Saracens at Vicarage Road, which is followed by a crunch home clash against Newcastle seven days later.

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