FORMER Wigan coach John Monie remained tightlipped today after he became the latest Super League coach to bite the dust.

The 53-year-old Australian, who achieved unprecedented success as coach of Wigan during their all-conquering days of the late 80s and early 90s, was axed by London Broncos less than 12 months into a two-year contract.

He joins Ellery Hanley (St Helens), Andy Kelly (Wakefield) and John Kear (Huddersfield-Sheffield) on the Super League scrapheap after enduring a miserable first season at The Valley.

The Broncos, Super League runners-up only three years ago, are second from bottom of the table with just five wins from their 25 matches and have attracted crowds of just over 2,000 for their last two home fixtures.

The Broncos directors, headed by tycoon Richard Branson, finally lost patience after last Friday's 32-16 home defeat by Warrington and decided not to take up the second-year option on Monie's contract.

Chief executive Tony Rea was placed in temporary charge for the second time in a little over 12 months as London begin the search for a fourth coach in two years.

"Rather than simply see this term out and then not renew John's contract for next season, we have taken this step now so that the club can prepare to move ahead immediately," said director Ian Burroughs.

Monie declined to comment but was known to be looking forward to working with the Broncos' high-profile recruits for next season.

The club have already signed New Zealand Test captain Richie Barnett, Australian hooker Jason Hetherington and Melbourne centre Tony Martin and have been linked with highly-rated Parramatta forward Jim Dymock in addition to Wigan prop Tony Mestrov.

Monie enjoyed unparalleled success at Wigan, steering the club to 14 major trophies including four successive League and Cup doubles from 1989-93.

He left to become the first coach of Auckland Warriors but was sacked for the first time in his 17-year career with the New Zealanders bottom of the Australasian League.

However, he made a hero's return to Central Park in 1997 and immediately re-applied the Midas touch, masterminding victory in the inaugural Super League Grand Final and taking the club back to Wembley.

Monie quit 14 months ago after refusing a sideways move to make way for assistant Andy Goodway and his surprise move to the capital provided hope for a revival in the Broncos' fortunes.

But they won only one of their first six games and, after a brief mid-season recovery, slumped further into the mire with only one victory from their last 13 fixtures.

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