MPFNL 2024: Hastings and senior coach Gavin Artico parts ways

A veteran coach has spoken about the demands of the job after parting ways with his Mornington Peninsula club, while a big name is rumoured to be taking over.

Gavin Artico coaching Hastings when the Blues beat Mornington in Round 5 last season.

It was time to go.

Hastings coach Gavin Artico says he has no “ill feeling” towards the Blues after he and the club agreed to part ways on the weekend.

Artico said “there’s a whole heap of stuff not working” after Hastings slumped to 0-6 in MPFNL Division 2 on Saturday, and a change made sense.

Hastings’ players were told of Artico’s exit on Monday.

“We had a meeting last Wednesday which was planned,” Artico said.

“And then we just started talking...there’s a whole heap of stuff not working for different parties and there’s no point continuing to flog a dead horse really.”

Artico was in his second season as Hastings senior coach and said the parting of ways was “mutual’’.

Just a year ago, Artico steered Hastings to a rousing win over eventual premiers Mornington, at Mornington.

“I’ve got no ill feeling against them,” he said of Hastings.

“I just said I’m not going to take your money and coach the rest of the year out and sit there and accept what’s going on, that’s not what I’m about.’’

Gavin Artico as coach of Langwarrin.

Artico coaching Dromana.

Artico coached both Langwarrin and Dromana to premierships during a successful coaching career spanning two decades.

He was named coach of Langwarrin’s team of the century in 2022.

Artico said his Hastings departure likely spells the end of his coaching days.

“I don’t think I’ll coach again,” he said.

“I think I’ve had a pretty good run. I won’t say it’s tarnished it but anyone who thinks they can roll into this thing and do it you find out a lot. Only the coaches who have done it realise how much effort and time goes into it.

“I still like the development side of it but I wouldn’t do a job outright that’s for sure.”

Hastings president Dan Lehmann said Artico’s departure was “a mutual agreement” and “best for both parties’’.

“We all just felt it was best for the football club and Gavin,” he said.

“It has been a tough start. We were very hopeful at the start of the season, with the young group we have, but things take a little longer to build to where we want to be.

“But we have some good people in some good places and we’re really optimistic about the future.

“There will be further announcements later this week, there’s a bit of a plan moving forward. By the end of the week we will have an interim coach appointed. We’re just trying to iron out a few things with a couple of parties.”

Hastings 2016 premiership coach Brendan Dunne is rumoured to be set to take the coaching reins for the remainder of the season.