Tony Smith sacked as head coach of Hull KR
Smith was due to leave at the end of the season anyway
Hull KR have confirmed head coach Tony Smith has been 'stood down' for the rest of the season.
They've have brought an early end to Tony Smith's three-year spell as head coach following a dismal run of form.
Smith had been due to step down at the end of the season, a decision announced in April, but the 55-year-old Australian has left with immediate effect following a run of one win in eight games.
Assistant coach Danny McGuire will take charge until the arrival of Willie Peters, who was named as Smith's successor in May.
A club statement said:
"We would like to take the opportunity to thank Tony for all his hard work over the last three years. The club are in a much better place than when he started."
In April, Smith made the surprise announcement that he would not extend the three-year contract he signed upon his arrival in 2019, stating that he had no other work lined up but felt the decision was "the best thing for the organisation".
They had won five straight games prior to Smith announcing his planned exit, entering the play-offs and reaching the Challenge Cup semi-final, but things have unwound since and they were dumped out of the cup and have dropped out of the top six.
Peters, the 43-year-old former Wigan and Widnes half-back who has spent six years in the NRL as an assistant coach with Manly Sea Eagles, South Sydney and Newcastle Knights, is due to arrive in the autumn.
Smith guided Rovers to the 2021 play-off semi-finals, where they were edged out by Catalan Dragons.
He had previously won the Super League title in 2004 and 2007 with Leeds and also lifted three Challenge Cups with Warrington.