Bath have announced that head coach Steve Meehan will be leaving the club at the end of the season, by mutual agreement.

Meehan led the West Country side to Amlin Challenge Cup success in 2008 as well as three consecutive English Premiership semi-finals in his five years at the club.

“We wish Steve all the best for his future after Bath Rugby and thank him for his contribution and commitment over the past few seasons,” said Bath CEO, Nick Blofeld.

“With significant changes at the Club and a new strategy and direction in place we have mutually agreed that it is a good point for Steve to seek a new challenge and we wish him luck wherever he goes.”

Steve Meehan said “Over the past five years we've developed our style of play, played some terrific rugby, won the respect of all the clubs in the Premiership and challenged some of the biggest teams in Europe.

“It's been a challenging yet enjoyable period but the timing is right for me to move on at the end of this season and I wish the team every success in years to come. However, the key part of this season is now upon us and before I leave I will be doing everything I can to ensure we are in the play offs and going for the title.”

The former Heineken Cup Champions finished third in Pool 4 of this year’s Heineken Cup and also failed to qualify for the knock-out stage of the tournament in the 2009/10 season.