Mark Thompson has told the club that he will be stepping away from coaching. The now former Cats coach met with club president Frank Costa this morning and advised him of his decision.

Thompson admitted last week that he was exhausted and was reconsidering whether or not he would continue in the role.

“After Mark told us of his feelings, we gave him time to consider his position and come back to us so that we could move forward as quickly as possible,” Geelong CEO Brian Cook said.

“Mark today advised the club that he would be resigning as our coach.

“Over the past 11 years the team has enjoyed an outstanding run of success under Mark’s coaching. In that time Geelong has won more games than any other team, with 161 victories, made the finals seven times and won two premierships from three grand finals.

“We thank Mark for all of his efforts in that time. It has been a period that we will all look back on with great pride.”

Cook also said that the club board has already met via phone hook up and has put in place a group comprising key personnel and board members to make a recommendation on who the next coach should be.

“The club has today formed a working group that will recommend to the full board our next coach,” Cook said.

“That group comprises Neil Balme, Steve Hocking, board members Gareth Andrews and Diana Taylor and myself.

“We expect to have the new coach in place before the team returns to train in mid-November.”