GARY van Egmond has stepped down from his position as Newcastle Jets coach for the second time.
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The decision was handed down by Jets officials this week after Newcastle's 3-1 loss to last-placed Melbourne Heart last Friday, pushing the team to seventh place on the A-League ladder.
Van Egmond had received increasing scrutiny over the Jets' four-game slump since December 20.
The team has claimed just four of 18 available competition points in recent weeks.
National Youth League coach Clayton Zane will take the reins until a permanent replacement is chosen, and Craig Deans will remain as assistant coach.
However, chief executive Robbie Middleby said the club encouraged van Egmond to stay with the organisation and apply for the new Emerging Jets technical director position.
The Jets will play the Central Coast Mariners this Saturday, January 25 at Bluetongue Stadium in an attempt to qualify for the play-offs.