Fremantle have extraordinarily sacked Mark Harvey despite the coach having a year left to run on his contract.
Harvey, who has been senior coach since 2008 after originally taking the reins as a caretaker with seven rounds to play in 2007, endured a horror 2011 with a massive injury list seeing his side slip out of the eight.
The Dockers gave no indication a sacking was on the cards and the decision comes as a massive shock.
"It was an extremely difficult decision to make but after lengthy consideration it is a decision that we believe is in the best interests of the long-term future of the Fremantle Football Club," CEO Steve Rosich said in a statement.
"We are very grateful for everything that Mark has done during his six years at the club and wish Mark all the best for the future, both personally and professionally."
It appears the Dockers have already lined up a replacement with the club advising they will 'hold a media conference in due course to announce Fremantle's new coach'.
It has been reported that the announcement could be as early as Friday with former Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade, former Crows coach Neil Craig and current St Kilda coach Ross Lyon already in the mix.
Harvey guided Fremantle to a semi final last year and looked on track for another finals campaign until injuries to key players prevented his side from making the top eight.