Launceston City coach Peter Sawdon has quit the club days from taking charge in the NPL season opener.
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The sudden resignation comes five months after his appointment and City's preseason friendly on Saturday.
In a further twist, former coach Lino Sciulli will return back to the job three years on to replace Sawdon for City's away clash at Kingborough.
A saddened club president Danny Linger confirmed to The Examiner on Sunday night Sawdon was stepping down effective immediately.
"This has been a very difficult decision for all concerned, especially at this late stage with season 2019 just days away," Linger said.
"Peter has worked tirelessly to bring our NPL squad up to speed and his efforts have been greatly appreciated.
"But in the end, there were some internal differences of opinion on fitness that could not be resolved, leaving him no other option."
Linger denied all rumours Sawdon resigned right after a 2-1 loss to Hobart Zebras.
The club committee spent much of Sunday looking to appoint a new coach.
"Obviously, the decision on a suitable replacement needed to be made with some urgency and after careful consideration of potential candidates," Linger said.
Sawdon said it was a tough call to walk out on City.
But the 66-year-old, who arrived to play for the club from England 38 years ago, felt it was still the right time to move prior to 2019 kickoff.
"The ongoing non-playing issues around fitness work, which I hold a high value, just could not be resolved through the club committee," Sawdon said.
"I first sought to resolve these issues through the committee soon after my appointment last year.
"If they continue, I could see that they would have a negative impact on the team.
"So I was unable to resolve them in the end. There are other reasons, which out of fairness to the club, I won't highlight in the media."
Sawdon was set to be the fourth City NPL coach in four seasons after the club first parted ways with Sciulli in 2016, then Ben Brookfield in 2017 and before Jez Kenth was forced to step down in 2018 due to work and travel.
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