Brown confirms Giants exit

Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season and return to Australia.

Brown, 36, was the Super League coach of the year in his debut season at the Galpharm Stadium, guiding Huddersfield to a third placed finish and a Challenge Cup final.

But he has been subject to much speculation over recent weeks, and the club has now moved to confirm the situation regarding the former St George-Illawarra player.

Chairman Ken Davy said: “Of course we are very disappointed to receive Nathan’s resignation at the year end, particularly as he has a year to run on his contract.

“Nathan has always been totally honest and upfront with us that he wished to return in due course to the NRL. Personal circumstances have meant that this has come a year sooner than either of us would have predicted or wanted. I know that Nathan will do all he can to ensure that he goes out on a high.”

Brown joined the club after spending five years as coach of St George in the NRL, guiding them to 75 wins in 142 games.

Brown said: “It’s purely a family decision that I have had to make to go home at the end of this year. Despite what’s been written by some I don’t have a job to go to nor have I even spoken to anyone back home about employment.

“I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to come here and I think the club has made huge strides forwards in my short time here and can continue to do so.”

Huddersfield become the third club now looking for a new coach for the 2011 season, following the recent announcement that Mick Potter is to leave St Helens at the season’s end, and Steve McNamara’s plans to leave Bradford to take on his new England role full time.