West Coast assistant coach Matthew Knights has informed the club that he will not seek a contract extension beyond 2024, flagging a return to Victoria.
Knights joined the Eagles ahead of the 2022 campaign during a tumultuous time for the club as a midfield coach, before joining the forward line this season.
West Coast GM of Football Gavin Bell said Knights' impact across the past three seasons has been "invaluable" and will be sorely missed in 2025 and beyond.
โ'Knighta' has been an invaluable member of our team, known for his passion and the strong relationships he built with players and staff alike,โ General Manager Football Gavin Bell said.
โHis contributions have greatly impacted our program and he will be missed. While it would have been nice to retain him at the club we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.โ
Assistant coach Matthew Knights has informed the club he will not seek a contract extension beyond this season and will return to Victoria for family and lifestyle reasons. He will remain in his role until the end of the season.
We wish Knighta all the best in his futureโฆ
โ West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) July 31, 2024
Knights' departure comes at a time of change at the Eagles, following Adam Simpson out the door, who parted ways with the club three weeks ago.
Jarrod Schofield has stepped up as the interim coach for the remainder of the 2024 season.
The club recently revealed a selection panel on its hunt for its seventh senior coach.
The panel includes CEO Don Pyke, Football General Manager Gavin Bell, Football Affairs Director Rowan Jones, Director Jan Cooper, as well as All-Australian Geelong champion Harry Taylor.
Schofield has made his intentions clear that he sees himself as a senior coach but will be up against former Eagles players Ash Hansen and Jaymie Graham.
Sydney assistant coach Dean Cox and Port Adelaide's Josh Carr were initially touted as likely candidates but have since denied a move west.
Knights was at Geelong before joining West Coast for nearly a decade, playing a significant role in bringing a VFL premiership to the club as well as assisting the coaching structure before his departure.
The former Richmond player was also the head coach at Essendon between 2008 and 2010, replacing club legend Kevin Sheedy in the hot seat.
Knights was famously sacked with two seasons remaining on his contract following a final-round loss to the Western Bulldogs.
He played 279 games for the Tigers between 1988 and 2002, twice winning the Jack Dyer (best and fairest) medal as well as an All-Australian blazer in 1988.
