Todd Greenberg’s four-year reign as NRL chief executive is over after he fell on his sword and quit with immediate effect on Monday afternoon.

Just days after emailing NRL employees warning of job cuts, Greenberg himself became the first big departure of the Peter V’landys era.

His exit was not about cost saving, but rather a “mutual agreement” after “reflecting on the needs of the game” according to an NRL statement.

He will be replaced by chief commercial officer Andrew Abdo in the interim, with the South African-born executive a chance to become the NRL’s fourth boss in eight years.

But Greenberg’s exit could be a sign of things to come.

The NRL has promised to reset its cost base, with the game facing unprecedented financial challenges due to the coronavirus.

The league’s head office has around 400 staff, while a number of Greenberg’s leadership team have been loyal to him.

Under pressure to keep his job for the past month, Greenberg’s exit comes after meetings between broadcasters and the NRL about the competition’s structure.

Greenberg had come under fire from the game’s free-to-air broadcaster Nine Network earlier this month, when it accused the league of financial mismanagement and a bloated head office.

“It has been my great honour and privilege to be the CEO of the NRL for the last four years,” Greenberg said in a statement.

“Despite the variety of challenges and pressures I have loved every single minute of the journey.

“Our growth over the last 4 years has been extraordinary and I am very proud of my contribution to the game.

“I am indebted to the game for the variety of opportunities and experiences that have been provided to my family and I, and we leave with many great memories and life long friendships.”

Greenberg will not take up another role in the NRL, with his involvement in the sport over for now.

The former boss of Canterbury, Greenberg became the NRL’s head of football in 2013 before he took over the reins in 2016.

It was in his initial role he introduced the NRL’s bunker, a system he has spent four years championing based on its increased accuracy and quicker decision times.

His first major challenge came in the form of Parramatta’s salary-cap scandal, while off-field behaviour proved his biggest test until coronavirus.

He implemented the controversial no-fault stand-down policy alongside former ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie last year, as the game took a stance following its summer from hell.

But by the most recent off-season, the tide had began to go against him.

Even before the competition was postponed last month, rumours had began to surface of frustration from clubs towards Greenberg with his contract up for renewal in 2020.

He was last week kept out of NRL meetings with Nine while there were significant questions around head office expenditure in recent years.

Greenberg had vowed to lead the charge on fixing those issues in that email to staff as late as last week, before his stint was abruptly ended.

“The role of chief executive of the NRL is one of the most challenging and difficult roles in Australian sport, with a diversity of passionate stakeholders,” ARLC chairman V’landys said in a statement.

“ARLC thanks Todd for his contribution to the game over the last seven years and as chief executive for the last four years.”

Abdo will now be the front-runner to replace him, while South Sydney boss Blake Solly, Brisbane counterpart Paul White and Canberra chief Don Furner will be among other options.

Outside of the clubs, NSWRL chief Dave Trodden could be another possibility, while V’landys has steered away from talk of implementing himself as an executive chairman.