MARK Neeld has been removed as Melbournecoach, with director of football Neil Craig named interim coach for the rest ofthe 2013 season.

Neeld, who was appointed Melbourne coach in September 2010, coached the Demonsin 33 matches.

The announcement was made at a media conference at AAMI Park at 10.30 am onMonday.

The club told Neeld at 8 am on Monday, after making the decision on Fridaynight.

Chief executive Peter Jackson said the decision was made in the “club’s bestinterests and Mark’s best interests”.

Jackson said he contemplated long and hard over the weekend when to make theannouncement. He confirmed that Neeld would be paid out his full contract.

“Football has a way of stories getting out. Mark was only made aware of this ateight o’clock this morning,” he said.

Neeld had a fair indication of what was happening  when he took Jackson’scall.

He said the primary emotion he felt was “disappointment”.

“I’ll be on an emotional rollercoaster,” he said.

“It’s certainly been a rollercoaster ride the past 18 months, and it’s been alife experience.”

Neeld said he wouldn’t do anything differently if he had his time again.

“I certainly didn’t see it finishing like this,” he said.

“I still have great confidence in the players … in time we’ll get some reallygood results.

“The group is predominantly inexperienced.”

He said he had a “different skill set” after his time as Melbourne coach. Headded that he was grateful for the opportunity.

“It hasn’t dented any desire to remain in the AFL,” he said.

Asked if he thought he was still the right man to coach the club, Neeld said“it didn’t matter what I thought”.

“I would’ve loved to have seen it out,” Neeld said.

Looking to the future, Neeld said he still had a few mates in the industry, and“someone might give me a job” down the track.

Jackson said there had been a lot of conjecture regarding players remaining atthe club.

He said it was important that they needed to be “convinced” that Melbourne wasthe right place for them to play at.“We need to convince them to stay on,” hesaid.

Jackson said Melbourne had a “huge impediment” at the moment, given its poorseason.

He said Melbourne’s next coach needed to be “a very good coach”.

Jackson said Craig would coach the rest of the season, but wouldn’t be drawn onwhat his position would be after that.

Acting president Peter Spargo said that he also expected several members of theboard to stand down.

“It’s a full board responsibility,” he said.

Jackson said the AFL wanted to see the composition of the new board.