Gorman said today was about tributes for the contribution of the popular coach who will bow out of coaching the first team to move into a new role with the club after this season.

"His record is second to none, two grand finals. It's an outstanding record and no-one wants to see him lost to the game," Gorman told au.fourfourtwo.com.

He said the plan to move McKinna out from the dugout and into a more commercial role with the club had been on the cards for two years.

He added: "Lawrie's a great ambassador and no-one in Australia wants to see him lost to the game."

Former assistant coach to McKinna, Ian Ferguson, was shocked to hear of the news when broken to him by au.fourfourtwo.com but was unable to comment.

Asked to comment on what new coach Graham Arnold brings to the Mariners and Gorman did not want to say just yet.

Fergie said: "Today is about Lawrie, so out of respect to him we'll be speaking about Arnie next week and not today."