Adelaide has reportedly appointed GWS senior assistant Matthew Nicks as its coach for 2020.

During an extraordinary off-season of blood-letting at the club, Nicks comes into the head coaching position at a club that no longer has a head of football department, senior assistant coach or a captain.

Channel 9 reported on Sunday night Nicks won the race to replace Don Pyke following a final round of interviews in the last few days.

According to widespread reports, Nicks has been awarded the position ahead of high profile candidates Scott Burns, Adem Yze, Adam Kingsley and Robert Harvey.

There was earlier speculation the Crows were poised to unveil Pyke’s successor as early as Monday morning.

.@9NewsAdel reporting Matthew Nicks will be announced as @Adelaide_FC coach- He’s a gun, they’ve got a good one 👍🏻 — Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) October 13, 2019

Not one for rumours but hearing that it might be as soon as tomorrow and it will be well received. A journey from West Adelaide, Sydney, Port and GWS. Stay tuned for more https://t.co/6DVXJefTuj — Graham Cornes (@Cornesy12) October 12, 2019

Nine reported on Sunday Nicks was the coach that most impressed the club during its interviews with candidates.

GWS are yet to receive official word that they are losing Nicks, but it will be a major surprise if he misses out.

This will be the former Sydney player’s first senior coaching role. After a 175-game career at the Swans, Nicks was an assistant at Port Adelaide from 2011 before joining the Giants this season.

After eight seasons on the Power’s coaching staff, Crows officials are reportedly confident Nicks has what it takes to survive in the Adelaide football fish bowl.

He will come into a club reeling from two disastrous seasons outside the top eight.

Adelaide have paid a fearful self-inflicted price for 40 minutes of bad football in the 2017 grand-final loss to Richmond.

First came the notorious 2018 pre-season camp run by Collective Minds and the club eventually severed ties with them later in the year.

Injuries and player discontent also have plagued the Crows.

Pyke left last month and Taylor Walker stood down from the captaincy. After external and internal reviews, the Crows on Friday sacked football manager Brett Burton and senior assistant coach Scott Camporeale — two of the most-prominent members of their football department.

As a result of the reviews, Adelaide will also appoint a leadership and culture manager.

— with AAP