Two-time Super Bowl-winner Tom Coughlin steps down as New York Giants head coach

Tom Coughlin, the head coach who guided the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles, has stepped down from his role.

Coughlin also won three NFC East division titles with the franchise but quit after three successive losing seasons.

Having coached the Giants for 12 seasons he quit after a meeting with the club’s owners on Monday.

“I met with (Giants co-owners) John Mara and Steve Tisch this afternoon and I informed them that it is in the best interest of the organisation that I step down as head coach,” Coughlin said in a statement.

“I strongly believe the time is right for me and my family, and as I said, the Giants organisation.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as head coach of the New York Football Giants. This is a not a sad occasion for me. I have spent 15 years with this organisation as an assistant and head coach and was fortunate to be part of three Super Bowl winning teams. A Lombardi Trophy every five years is an achievement in which we all take great pride.

Tom Coughlin steps down as New York Giants head coach. Statement: https://t.co/ALJk5D5ymr pic.twitter.com/4Zl2uL9h4n

— New York Giants (@Giants) January 4, 2016

“Obviously, the past three years have not been what any of us expect and as head coach, I accept the responsibility for those seasons.

“I think it has been evident these last 12 years here how much pride I take in representing this franchise. I am gratified and proud that we were able to deliver two more Lombardi trophies to the display case in our lobby during that time. That is a tribute to our players and staff, and it was truly fulfilling to be the leader of those teams.

“I appreciate the support of John and his family and Steve and his family and of (general manager) Jerry Reese and his staff. I think our organisation is a great representation of what I mean when I talk about ’team’.”

"He definitely has not failed these players.. We failed him."

Eli Manning on Tom Coughlin: https://t.co/jFPc7OMWkx pic.twitter.com/Q2xDBzZ8kl

— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2016

The Giants failed to reach the play-offs for the fourth consecutive year. The last time they made the play-offs was in 2011 when they lifted a second Super Bowl title in four years under Coughlin’s reign.

But successive seasons where the Giants’ record read 6-10 proved too much for the coach who becomes the third change since the end of the regular season.

The San Francisco 49ers relieved Jim Tomsula of his head coaching duties and the Cleveland Browns did the same with Mike Pettine.

The Philadelphia Eagles had stolen a march in the sack race by dismissing Chip Kelly last week, even before the final round of regular-season games.

The San Diego Chargers announced on Monday they would be retaining head coach Mike McCoy.