AFL 2024: West Coast sacks premiership coach Adam Simpson

After three tortured years, the West Coast Eagles have decided to move on from the coach who took them to the 2018 flag.

West Coast has parted ways with 2018 premiership coach Adam Simpson after more than 10 years at the helm. Picture: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

West Coast says it has mutually agreed to part ways with senior coach Adam Simpson.

Simpson could coach his final game on Sunday afternoon when the Eagles host Brisbane at Optus Stadium, but the parties are yet to decide on how he will be farewelled.

A statement released by the Eagles on Tuesday said the club and Simpson had agreed to split.

“The West Coast Eagles and senior coach Adam Simpson have mutually agreed that his 11-year tenure at the club will come to an end,” the statement read.

Simpson will speak at a press conference at 2.30pm AEST alongside Eagles chair Paul Fitzpatrick and chief executive Don Pyke.

The dual North Melbourne premiership player, who replaced John Worsfold at West Coast ahead of the 2014 season, coached the Eagles in 242 games for 122 wins.

In 2018, he overcame the absence of two key players in an injured Nic Naitanui and suspended Andrew Gaff to successfully plot the Eagles’ fourth AFL premiership.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson will depart the Eagles after an 11-year tenure that included the 2018 premiership triumph. Picture: Julian Smith / AAP

Simpson was adamant in the second half of last season that he had the drive to lead the Eagles’ rebuild despite two horror campaigns but after Sunday’s loss to Melbourne said he was at peace with his “football mortality”.

“I’m here to do a job as best I can and I’ll do that until I get tapped on the shoulder,” Simpson said after the game.

“I know how long the road’s going to be. I’m up for it, but if the club’s not, they’re not.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: West Coast sacks premiership coach Adam Simpson