Gold Coast Titans chief executive David May has sensationally quit less than a year after joining the NRL club, citing personal reasons.

May tendered his resignation on Monday, effective immediately, with club co-owner Darryl Kelly to step in as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is found, News Limited reports.

“It’s been a tremendously difficult decision but I have a number of personal issues I need to deal with, here and at home in the UK, over the next few months,” May said.

“This will prevent me from being able to fulfil my obligations as CEO of the Titans.

“It’s been a dramatic 12 months but I am tremendously proud of my work at the Titans.

“I am enormously proud that we have eradicated the debt and the club is … operating at a profit.”

May joined the club last July, replacing former managing director Michael Searle, to help dig the Titans out of multimillion-dollar debts.

It is understood his deteriorating relationship with executive director and majority shareholder Searle was a factor in his resignation.

The fifth-placed Titans face NRL leaders South Sydney in Cairns on Sunday.