Mark McVeigh has departed the GWS Giants, just weeks after missing out on the head coaching role.
Giants CEO David Matthews had earlier stated he saw a “long-term future” for McVeigh at the club, despite being overlooked for new coach Adam Kingsley.
But on Monday the club announced McVeigh’s exit.
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“Mark has been a wonderful coach at our football club over a long period of time,” GWS footy boss Jason McCartney said.
“He’s a person of great honesty and integrity and while we would have loved him to stay, the time is right for him to move on.
“We congratulate him on everything he has achieved so far in his coaching career and wish Mark and his family all the best for the future.
“He’ll always be part of building the GIANTS.”
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McVeigh stepped in as interim coach after Leon Cameron left the club back in May amid a tough start to the 2022 season.
He led the club to four wins from their last 13 games of the season, after joining forces with his former Essendon teammates in James Hird and Dean Solomon in the coaching box.
Matthews had predicted Kingsley and McVeigh could “work well together” after the former Richmond assistant was appointed head coach in late August.
“He spent some time with Adam this morning and our expectation is that there is a long-term future here for Mark McVeigh,” Matthews had said.
“He’s got great values and the players love him, and I could really see him and Adam working really well together.”
McVeigh has been at the Giants since the 2015 season, after spending 12 months as the coach of the GIANTS Academy.
After starting as a defensive coach, McVeigh moved across to lead the midfield for 2021 before stepping up after Cameron’s departure.
McVeigh is yet to announce what comes next in his career.