The NRL’s former boss of finance Ed Farish is to leave Super League club Salford after just over three months as its chief executive, owner Dr Dr Marwan Koukash has said.

Farish arrived at Salford in February, soon after Koukash’s takeover.

Koukash feels a change is necessary but has stressed Farish has not been sacked.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “Ed will be going back to Australia after a hand-over period.

“He will be replaced by someone with no rugby background, someone who has done business development for a blue-chip company for the last 20 years.

“I made it clear when I took over that I would give people chances and I don’t care who it is – a cleaner, an administrator, a player or a coach.

“If someone is not doing it we need to move them on.

“But Ed has not been sacked. I just think it is for the best.”

Koukash, a millionaire racehorse owner, has made plenty of headlines since committing to the sport by saving the City Reds from financial catastrophe.

He has spoken of audacious bids for star players such as Wigan’s Sam Tomkins and made grand pronouncements of targeting a top-four place next year.

The one tangible move so far has been to bring in former Great Britain, Bradford and Wigan coach Brian Noble.

It has still been a difficult season for the club, who are 13th in Super League after just four wins from 17 games.