Super League strugglers Salford City Reds have parted company with coach Steve McCormack by mutual consent.

The former Wigan player paid the price for a disastrous start to the season.

Salford are marooned at the bottom of the table with just two wins from their first 11 games.

And in the 19 matches of McCormack's 10-month reign, the Reds have won just three times.

Sunday's 42-18 home defeat by London Broncos was their sixth in a row, and left the coach to declare himself "absolutely gutted".

McCormack's subsequent departure was no surprise, and chief executive David Tarry said: "After long discussions, it was pretty evident that it was in the best interests of everybody to go our separate ways.

"It was very difficult because Steve has been here for eight or nine years and was part of the fabric of the place.

"But, at the end of the day, we had to face up to where we are and where we go from here.

"In fairness to Steve, he understood that and was part of the decision."

Casualty

At 28, McCormack became the youngest coach in Super League when he succeeded Australian John Harvey last July.

But he has now become the second casualty of the season, following the departure of Steve Anderson from Warrington.

McCormack said: "I'm obviously disappointed but I've thoroughly enjoyed my 10 months in charge and I hope whoever takes over gets everybody pulling in the right direction."

Salford have placed director of rugby Steve Simms, the former Leigh, Halifax and Featherstone coach, in temporary charge.

And club officials say they intend to advertise the post.

Leigh coach Paul Terzis and former Halifax boss John Pendlebury have both been linked with the post in recent weeks.

Tarry said the board had a completely open mind on McCormack's successor but hope to make an appointment "reasonably quickly".