Australian Laurie Fisher has confirmed he’s quit as head coach of English Premiership rugby club Gloucester.

The former Brumbies mentor tweeted after Saturday’s defeat to Harlequins that it was “time to make room for someone else”.

Gloucester had thrown away a 12-point lead in the last nine minutes to lose 30-27, effectively ending their hopes of European Champions Cup qualification.

Fisher joined Gloucester from the Brumbies in July 2014 and – despite a frustrating domestic season – they beat Edinburgh to lift the European Challenge Cup a year later.

But they are currently ninth in the English Premiership having won just five matches all season.

A statement on the club’s website on Monday read: “Gloucester Rugby can confirm that head coach Laurie Fisher has left the club with immediate effect.

“Fisher met with club officials over the past 48 hours and it was mutually agreed that he would leave his position.”