ST KILDA assistant coach Robert Harvey has quit the club, effective immediately.

This morning St Kilda agreed to grant Harvey and ruck coach Steven King early release from their contracts "to allow them to pursue career opportunities elsewhere".

Harvey said in a club statement leaving the club where he played a record 383 games was a difficult choice, but he was determined to become a senior coach.

Despite being named as caretaker coach after Lyon’s departure, Harvey did not even make the club’s final shortlist of three for the top job.



It is likely he will head to the Magpies to take up a role under their new coach, Nathan Buckley.

But Harvey said he was not bitter at the club.

"I met with Scott Watters earlier this week and can see why the club appointed him head coach, he is an excellent choice,” Harvey said.

“The interview process was very robust, something I support wholeheartedly, and I’m certainly better for the experience.

“My decision to leave the St Kilda Football Club was a difficult one. I have a great love for the club and a strong desire to one day return to the club in the future.”

“I believe my coaching development will be best served in a different environment where I can continue to gain the skills required to become a senior coach.”

Saints chief executive Michael Nettlefold said Harvey would always be welcome back at the club.

King has accepted an assistant coaching position at the Bulldogs.

“I’ve been presented with an opportunity at the Western Bulldogs where I’ll be working alongside my former coach, an opportunity I felt I couldn’t turn down,” he said.

“I’m very grateful for the club’s support and understanding in granting me this early release.”

Originally published as Saints let Harvey walk