Senior Cronulla forward Paul Gallen says Ricky Stuart will be remembered as a 'good coach and a great bloke' who had no choice but to quit the job seven weeks ahead of time.
Cronulla players woke on Tuesday to read Stuart would be exiting the club immediately rather than at the end of the year following a disastrous season that has yielded just five wins in 17 matches.
Shane Flanagan, who was to be in charge from the start of the 2011, will take the reins.
Gallen refused to criticise the Sharks boss for walking out on the club with two months of the season remaining.
"I didn-t know it (Stuart's departure) was coming (today) but it was on the cards," Gallen told Sportal on Tuesday.
"I'm sad to see him go. I loved playing for him."
"He's been a real mentor of mine and someone I look up to and love playing for and always did my best for."
"I've got nothing but good things to say about him. He's helped me become the player I am today."
"From the players' point of view he will be remembered as a good coach, great bloke."
"He's got a good knack of finding a good relationship between being a mate and being a coach."
Gallen revealed the players were comfortable with Stuart's decision to walk away with a seven games still remaining.
He believes it was the right move.
"I know he always put the team first but sometimes you've got to put yourself and your family first," Gallen said.
"There's been so much pressure. It's been every week in the media."
"I've been there before when you're in the paper day after day and it wears you down."
"It probably got the better of him in the end. I suppose he's just had enough."
Flanagan has enjoyed a long apprenticeship under both Brian Smith and Stuart, as well as assisting Craig Bellamy with the NSW Origin side in recent years.
Although untried at NRL level, Flanagan has the backing of the Cronulla players.
"He'll be good. He knows all of us, all our plays, what we can do so it's not like we're getting anyone brand new," Gallen said.
"He's got the respect of all the players so we-ll be right with him."
Asked what goals the 14th placed Sharks would set for the rest of the year, Gallen replied: "I think we've just got to have some fun. The season is probably gone so (we need to) have a little bit of fun, enjoy each other's company."
"Next year's a whole new year so this is a chance for Flanno to dip his toe in the water and see what the pressures of being head coach will be like."
"It's a good trial period for him. He can see what it's all about over the next six weeks and hit next year running."