Warriors chairman Cameron George has stepped down after a costly month for the NRL club.

George has told the New Zealand Herald he will be demoted to deputy chairman and replaced by director Rob Croot.

“I have stood down as chairman of the Warriors and stood down completely from the (Auckland Rugby League) board,” McGregor said.

“There’s a very capable replacement at the Warriors with Rob taking over and I’ll still be on the board as deputy.

“I had intended standing down from the ARL board completely because the chairman is an elected position. I’ve been there for 16 years and I just felt that now was the right time for that to happen.”

It follows a public slanging match between George and Shaun Johnson after he accused the now-departed halfback of not justifying his $1 million-a-year price tag.

Johnson was granted a release after being told he would not be offered a deal beyond 2019, prompting the New Zealand Test half to join Cronulla.

Johnson’s departure leaves the Warriors without an obvious halves partner for Blake Green with untried youngsters Chanel Harris-Tavita, Hayze Perham and Adam Keighran battling it out.

“Look, I have no doubt the coaching staff had been working with Shaun around his performance, particularly consistency,” George said at the time.

“I think without a shadow of a doubt that has been an issue that is apparent and that has been addressed by the coaching staff from time to time.

“In my personal view, I think that has been certainly an issue that has presented itself for a while now.

“We need consistent performances and therefore we need consistent individuals, and not everyone has been doing that.”