THE Adelaide Crows have sacked their head coach Brenton Sanderson following an off-season review of the club's football operations.
Sanderson's sacking comes nine months after the club extended his contract for two seasons.
The club released a statement on Wednesday afternoon confirming Sanderson's departure.
"The Adelaide Football Club and Senior Coach Brenton Sanderson have agreed to part ways. This follows an extensive review of the Club’s entire football operations," it read.
Chairman of the board Rob Chapman said board directors Andrew Payze and Mark Ricciuto, the club's Head of Football David Noble, Sanderson and himself were part of the post-season analysis.
“Brenton is a quality person and accomplished coach, but recent weeks have unearthed a need for change,” Chapman said.
“Both parties have realised they have different perspectives on where we are at as a footy team.
“It is a tough decision but one the club feels pushes us closer to realising our ambitions.
“We would like to thank Brenton for his contribution and wish him every success," he said.
The statement said the Adelaide Crows will now embark upon a "nationwide" search to find their new senior coach.
Former club legend Simon Goodwin, who played 275 games for the Crows, has already been linked to the post. Goodwin is currently a senior assistant at the Essendon Football Club.
Sanderson finishes up his coaching career at the Adelaide Crows with a 39-30 win-loss record and a 56.5 winning percentage - higher than any other coach of the club. Neil Craig's 55.43 per cent winning record from 166 games is the next best.
The Crows missed out on playing finals this year and finished the 2014 season in 10th position with a record of 11 wins and 11 losses.
