Newcastle are set to part ways with coach Nathan Brown at the end of this NRL season.

Despite reassurances in recent weeks from club hierarchy that Brown would lead the side in 2020, it’s understood he will exit the club.

The Knights have lost seven of their past nine games to sit in 10th spot despite a star-studded roster which had been expected to be a finals contender.

Brown last year signed an open-ended performance-based contract with the club after lifting them off the bottom of the ladder, following three-straight wooden-spoon seasons, and into 11th place.

The Knights, led by Kalyn Ponga, Mitchell Pearce and David Klemmer, looked like premiership contenders midway through the season.

After their round-11 win over the Sydney Roosters, they were in the top four.

But a recent six-game losing streak brought them back to earth and appears to be the impetus behind Brown’s reported exit.

Roosters assistant coaches Craig Fitzgibbon and Adam O’Brien have emerged as early favourites for the post.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters has repeatedly stated his desire for a club coaching job and served as the Knights’ halves coach in 2014 under Wayne Bennett.