The New Zealand Breakers are on the hunt for a new coach after confirming Petteri Koponen will not renew his contract for a third NBL season.
The 37-year-old Finnish coach led the Kiwi side to an inaugural Ignite Cup victory, but the club failed to make the playoffs for a second year in a row.
The Auckland club said in a statement Koponen would not seek a contract extension following the 2025/26 season.
Kopenen said the time was right to move on after two seasons with the Breakers.
"My time in New Zealand has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. I fell in love with this country and the incredible community that supports the Breakers," he said.
"However, after two seasons of intense growth in the NBL, and the immense satisfaction of bringing the Ignite Cup to Auckland, I am ready for a new challenge.
"I want to thank the Club, the players, and the fans for embracing me. I am proud of the culture we’ve built, and I leave with the highest respect for this club."
Breakers president of operations Dillon Boucher said Koponen was a "young coach on the rise".
"We support his desire to pursue opportunities closer to home," he said.
"Professional coaching at this level demands immense sacrifice, especially half a world away from home. We’ve reached a mutual agreement that the time is right for Petteri to pursue his next professional challenge."
Boucher said Koponen would depart with his "mana higher than ever" and that the Finn would "always hold a permanent place within our Breakers whānau".
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