Thursday 10 March 2016 09:42, UK
Wakefield chairman Michael Carter has revealed he had a "frosty" relationship with Brian Smith since Christmas, but admitted he was still stunned by the Australian's sudden departure.
Smith, who had been in the job just nine months, offered no explanation when he quit the Super League club on Tuesday and Carter said, during a press conference on Wednesday, that he first discovered the news from an official of another club.
"It was a bit of a strange one," Carter said. "I actually got a text message from a CEO of another club asking if I was on the look-out for a new head coach, which came as a bit of a surprise.
"I texted him back saying, 'I don't know what you are on about', and within an hour Brian walked into the office, said he was terminating his contract and walked out. And that was it."
Smith succeeded fellow Australian James Webster last June and, after helping secure their survival in Super League with victory over Bradford in the Million-Pound Game in September, signed a new 12-month contract.
Carter, who has placed assistant coach Stuart Dickens in temporary charge for Friday's game at St Helens, said he did not try to dissuade Smith from quitting and insisted he had backed him "to the hilt".
"I was a little stunned," he said. "But, by his manner, you could tell it was a decision that wasn't going to get changed.
"We've had a frosty relationship since Christmas."
