Green steps aside as Breakers coach

8.48pm

Jeff Green has resigned as head coach of the New Zealand Breakers basketball team.

Green confirmed he no longer coached the side shortly before they lost to the West Sydney Razorbacks in Auckland today, their eighth defeat in 10 Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) matches this season.

The Breakers franchise yesterday announced they were in an employment dispute with Green but that he would remain in his role for the time being.

The franchise and Green today said that had been resolved, with Green stepping aside and making way for assistant coach Frank Arsego to assume overall control.

"For the benefit of the organisation and the team Jeff has decided to step down," Breakers general manager Peter Chapman said.

The Breakers have not explained the reasons behind Green's resignation but Green said his on-court behaviour had not gone down well in Australia.

TV One tonight reported a "litany of complaints" had been received by the Breakers about Green's courtside behaviour.

"It has always got me in trouble my whole career," Green told TV One.

"A lot of the Aussies couldn't take it. The organisation was getting e-mails and complaints the whole time.

"The Aussies are a bit soft when it comes to sledging."

Green, a controversial figure in New Zealand basketball, was fined $5000 in August last year by Basketball New Zealand for making obscene gestures and swearing at Nelson supporters when he led Waikato to their third successive national league title.

In 2001 he was fined $1000 for publicly criticising referees after earlier receiving a $2000 fine for alleging that national coach Tab Baldwin was racially biased in his selections.

- NZPA