Rodney Eade has stood down as Gold Coast Suns coach, after he was informed his contract would not be renewed for 2018.

Suns’ CEO Mark Evans informed Eade of the club’s decision late last night, following the conclusion of the football department review.

Eade was expected to coach out the remainder of the season but after consideration he contacted Evans this morning and explained that he did not believe the arrangement was best for him or the players.

The decision ends a tumultuous three-year tenure at the club.

Eade was appointed senior coach at the end of 2014, replacing the Suns’ inaugural coach Guy McKenna.

It was hoped Eade would take the club to the finals for the first time in their history.

But Eade experienced little joy in his three-year tenure, winning just 16 of 63 matches and spending most of the time attempting to turn around the club’s bad culture and extensive injury list.

Attention will now turn to who will succeed Eade at the Suns.

Carlton assistant coach John Barker is the early frontrunner, ahead of former Blues’ coach Brett Ratten and Gold Coach assistant coach Dean Solomon.

Solomon has been an assistant at the club since its inception in 2011 and is expected to take over on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.

The announcement is likely to see the end of one of the longest serving coaches in the history of the game.

Eade was appointed coach of the Sydney Swans in 1996, taking the club to the Grand Final in his first season.

Eade resigned from the Swans in 2002 and in late 2004 was appointed coach of the Western Bulldogs.

After taking the Bulldogs to three preliminary finals in seven seasons, Eade’s contract was not renewed at the end of 2011.

Eade then spent three seasons at Collingwood as a Football and Coaching Strategist, before taking up the role at the Suns.

In all, Eade coached 377 games including 18 finals, one grand final and finished up with a winning percentage of 49.73.