RODNEY Eade has decided against coaching out the season with the Western Bulldogs and will leave Whitten Oval immediately.

Senior assistant coach Paul Williams, who played 306 matches with Collingwood and the Sydney Swans, including the Swans' 2005 Grand Final win, will take over as interim coach.

Williams, 38, was an assistant coach with Melbourne for two seasons after his retirement as a player before crossing to the Bulldogs at the end of the 2008 season.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to guide the club through the remainder of the 2011 season," Williams said on westernbulldogs.com.au.

"While the last couple of days have been difficult, this is a great club with a fantastic future.

"I am looking forward to working with the players, coaches and staff as we move into this new and exciting phase."

Williams won the Swans' best and fairest in 2001 and 2002 and was selected as an All Australian in 2003.

He began his career with the Magpies in 1991 and played 189 matches for them before moving to the Swans for the 2001 season.

Eade, 53, who was told on Wednesday he would not be reappointed as coach, initially said he would lead the team in its final three matches "out of respect for the players".

He is expected to be under serious consideration for the vacant coaching positions at Melbourne and Adelaide.