Newcastle's A-League Women resurgence has hit a massive speed bump with coach Gary van Egmond departing to take up a job with the Chinese Football Association.
Van Egmond had led the Jets to a 5-2-5 start to the season, with sixth-placed Newcastle firmly in the finals race.
He had also signed daughter and Matildas star Emily van Egmond to a short-term guest stint that helped the Jets find form, before adding gun Philippines striker Sarina Bolden to the mix.
Former Socceroos defender van Egmond is understood to be taking up a role overseeing China's women's youth national teams.
Van Egmond won an A-League Men championship with Newcastle in 2007-08 and also spent several years as a Matildas assistant coach.
"With our women's team drawing record support and building great momentum at the half-way mark of the competition, Gary has made a big contribution to the team and we are disappointed that he is leaving the club at this point," Jets chairman Shane Mattiske said in a statement.
Assistant coach Ryan Campbell will immediately take the reins as interim head coach, with the Jets now running a process to confirm the appointment of van Egmond's permanent successor.
Newcastle return to action against Sydney FC on January 21.
