Ford's Riders team missed out on the play-offs

Leicester Riders have decided not to renew head coach Martin Ford's contract for next season.

The Riders won only 10 of 33 games and missed out on the end-of-season play-offs in the BBL.

But Ford, who was in his first season in charge, thinks the club are expecting too much from their coach.

He told BBC Radio Leicester: "Ultimately I think the club probably wants a little bit more than what they can afford."

Ford added: "The club really wants someone who could be there half a day, every day of the week for part-time money.

"Ultimately at this moment in time I don't think that's viable."

Riders chairman Mark Ellis thanked Ford for the work he did in his season in charge and hinted there may be another role for him at the club.

He said: "We recognised that Martin has a number of other commitments, including to the English Universities program and felt the club needed a more dedicated resource.

"We are hopeful that Martin will continue to play a role in a senior capacity in the future."

We are committed to getting a new coach in place by the end of June Riders chairman Mark Ellis

Ford said he would consider staying at the Riders next season, but it all depended on what job the club offered him.

"I want to coach and if a position came up I would have to consider that as well but Leicester is relatively local for me and really it all depends on what that position is."

Meanwhile Ellis has signalled the club's intent to begin rebuillding the team for next season.

He said: "We are committed to getting a new coach in place by the end of June, so that team building can then proceed."