Former Wallaby skipper Mark Ella says the Waratahs have failed to improve under Chris Hickey and should not re-sign the veteran coach for next season.
Ella believes the Tahs need a complete revamp, starting with the coach, after a season that saw criticism over the team's style of play and crowds drop to record lows at the SFS.
Hickey's three-year tenure effectively came to an end when NSW were eliminated from the Super Rugby finals with a loss to the Blues on Friday night.
The experienced coach, who has the best win-loss record in Waratahs history, is keen to continue at the helm.
But Ella feels it's time for the club to go in a new direction as they aim to work towards building for their first Super Rugby title.
"In a professional organisation, if you haven't improved then the guy at the top has got to go," a frank Ella told Sky Sports Radio.
"We lack the skills, we lack the ability and we kick away too much ball."
"You've got to wonder are we doing that because we haven't got confidence in the way we play the game."
"And it always comes back to the coach at the end of the day."
The Waratahs board are currently conducting a review of the 2011 season, which is expected to take six weeks with coaches, players, medical and conditioning staff, and administration all to give separate reports.
After a difficult season both on and off the field, the head coaching role is sure to be one of the main topics of the review process.
Ella believes whatever the outcome of the review, Hickey should not be given a new deal because the Waratahs have stagnated since he took over the head coaching role in 2009.
"You just have a look at the record, we still haven't won a Super title, we're still losing crowds and we're still losing key players to other Australian franchises," he said.
"Our players lack the basic skills to excel at this type of rugby. Something's got to give."
"I think Chris Hickey's a very good coach but whether he'll be around next year, I doubt it."