McLennan has informed the club, which finished second in the Albury-Wodonga Football Association championship race behind Albury United last year, that he will not seek a fifth year in charge.

A new coach could be named as early as Monday night at the club’s committee meeting.

“It’s disappointing but you have to move on,” Melrose president David Pye said yesterday.

“Due to work commitments and a new job, that’s the path he’s taken.

“We’ve certainly moved ahead in the past four years and he’s set standards in place that we appreciate and hope that the new coach continues to set those standards and puts his own stance of authority on things.”

McLennan late last year told the club to advertise for a coach, saying: “I know I want to do it but I’ve got to make sure I can give the club everything”.

McLennan, who has been credited by the club for its rise up the table, had a tumultuous 2011 season in which he lost his licence for drink-driving.

He did not return calls to The Border Mail yesterday.

Six clubs — Myrtleford, Boomers FC, Wangaratta, Twin City, Wodonga Heart and St Patrick’s — have announced new coaches for the 2012 season.

Melrose will soon have one of the best surfaces in AWFA.

Albury Council-run Melrose Park is undergoing significant drainage and irrigation work.

The works include the removal of the cricket pitch, which is set to be relocated between the two soccer grounds.

Albury Council parks and recreation team leader David Armstrong said he hoped the ground was ready for the start of the AWFA season, on March 18.

“We are hoping to get all the work done early to mid-February,” Armstrong said.

“We are hoping to be right for the start of the season or close to the start.”

Armstrong said the surface redevelopment would help safeguard the ground from drought and provide a better surface for the soccer community.