South Sydney chief executive David Tapp said the National Rugby League club had been contacted by two premiership-winning coaches within hours of sacking Craig Coleman.

A shattered Coleman was given his marching orders this morning after Tapp spoke with chairman George Piggins and board members on Sunday night.

Coaching consultant Phil Blake will take over in an interim capacity, with Paul Langmack retaining his role as an assistant.

Tapp said Saturday night's 58-12 defeat at the hands of the Wests Tigers in a pre-season trial on the Central Coast - the club's third pre-season loss and tenth in a row stretching back to last year - was the final straw.

"What has transpired in recent weeks in the trials is unacceptable," Tapp said.

"The decision was reached following a meeting between Craig and I this morning. I think it's fair to say the majority of the board felt that some action needed to be taken ... what happened at Gosford on Saturday night was unacceptable and the club can't continue to serve that up to its sponsors and fans.

"It was a circus over the past 24 hours ever since Saturday night's debacle."

Coleman reacted bitterly to the news, with his axing coming just 11 days before the start of the season.

Coleman said Piggins had not warned him that trial form could cost him his job and he had been experimenting with a large number of players and combinations in the pre-season.

"If George (Piggins) would have come and told me we had to win the trials I would fielded our best side," Coleman said.

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